Ireland secure bonus point in first half against Russia

Ireland 36 Russia 0

Ireland amassed an ominous half-time lead in their World Cup group clash with Russia at Rotorua International Stadium.

Fergus McFadden, Sean O’Brien, Isaac Boss, Keith Earls and Andrew Trimble scored tries while Ronan O’Gara kicked 11 points.

Leo Cullen captained Ireland on his World Cup debut as the Pool C leaders sought to continue their march on the quarter-finals by dispatching Russia.

Centre Paddy Wallace made his first start in three visits to the tournament as one of nine changes to the side that routed Australia 15-6 at Eden Park.

Russia were expected to be the easiest of Ireland’s group opponents and had failed to name their strongest side for the clash at Rotorua International Stadium.

Rain began to fall shortly after kick-off but the weather failed to prevent Ireland from making an ambitious start.

Sean O’Brien made an early impression with robust carries while Donnacha Ryan hit the line at pace, but the good work was undone when Tony Buckley split the ball close to the line.

Russia had strayed offside, resulting in three points for Ronan O’Gara, and their situation deteriorated further when fly-half Konstantin Rachkov was sin-binned for slapping the ball forward.

The first try arrived in the 10th minute, Fergus McFadden expertly touching down O’Gara’s crossfield bomb after sliding over the whitewash.

It was already looking grim for Russia, who conceded again just three minutes later when a series of carries ended with O’Brien piercing the last line of defence.

Russia burst into life in the 22nd minute, winning a turnover and then moving into Ireland’s 22 through runs by centre Andrey Kuzin and number eight Victor Gresev.

Their purple patch continued when winger Denis Simplikevich snatched an O’Gara bomb from under the nose of Andrew Trimble and sped 30 yards.

Ireland’s early assault had ground to a halt thanks to a mixture of Russian doggedness and their own lack of accuracy, exemplified by McFadden slinging a pass into touch.

But as the half neared its conclusion, they found another gear, scoring three tries in four minutes.

Scrum-half Isaac Boss wriggled over from close range after Ireland had pounded at the Russian whitewash and then Keith Earls worked an opening down the blindside with help from Trimble to score.

With the try-scoring bonus point already secure, the Irish ran in a fifth for good measure with Trimble hacking ahead and diving on the ball.