Ireland keep up World Cup hopes

Ireland 58 Russia 18

New captain Stuart Littler scored a hat-trick of tries as Ireland kept alive their hopes of a place in the 2008 World Cup with an emphatic win over Russia in Carlow.

Ireland ran in 11 tries to eliminate the Russians and set up a European group one decider with Lebanon at Dewsbury on Friday, November 2.

A shock was on the cards when tries from Oleg Logunov and Valentin Baskakov put Russia 10-0 ahead after only eight minutes but Damian Blanch and Sean Gleeson each grabbed a brace of tries before half-time to put the home side in control.

Man of the match Bob Beswick also touched down and Littler grabbed his first as Ireland powered to a 32-12 interval lead.

Flying winger Nikolay Zagoskin gave the Russians hope with the first try of the second half but Ireland finished strongly, running in further tries through Paul Handforth, Beswick, Littler, who completed his hat-trick on 63 minutes, and Blanch.