Ireland v Japan: This was no contest, it was a party

Look on in awe as these rugby mavericks put on a show the like of which you have rarely seen, they said. Fair to say, then, that Japan fell shy of their billing

Ireland's Johnny Sexton receives a guard of honour from his teammates after winning his 100th cap for Ireland. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Roll up! Roll up! The great entertainers are in town, they said. Look on in awe as these rugby mavericks put on a show the like of which you have rarely seen. Fair to say, then, that Japan fell well shy of their billing.

Not everyone had been taken in by the marketing given only 40,000 or so punters made for the Aviva Stadium. Was that down to the IRFU’s ticket prices, or just the fact that the greatest showmen of them all would be here in their black garb seven days later?