Ireland continue fine form against Japan

Japan 18 Ireland 47

Ireland made it two wins from two matches against Japan with a convincing triumph in Tokyo.

Ulster fly-half David Humphreys, skippering the side on this Far East trip, led by example with 20 points while Frankie Sheahan and Gavin Duffy each scored two tries.

Defensive coach Mark McCall had demanded an attacking approach from Ireland and the tourists burst into life in the Japanese capital as Humphreys crossed for the first try and converted it himself inside the first five minutes.

A converted Sheahan try put them 14-0 up after eight minutes before the Cherry Blossoms cut the lead to six as Daisuke Ohata touched down and Japan’s most-capped player Keiji Hirose added the extras.

Humphreys was quickest out of the blocks in the second period as he notched his second try, and again the 33-year-old nailed the conversion to take the lead back to 11 points.

Harlequins outside centre Duffy breached the home defence a minute later and after Hirose was successful with a penalty, another converted try from Leinster full-back Girvan Dempsey extended the lead to 31-13.

Duffy claimed his second touchdown in the 57th minute and Humphreys completed his points haul with the conversion.

Ohata crossed for a second time but Ireland had the last word on the trip when Munster hooker Sheahan secured his own try double after 65 minutes.