Gus McCarthy, Cormac Izuchukwu and Jamie Osborne all made positive contributions against Fiji.
Ciarán Kennedy Reports from Aviva Stadium ON ANOTHER DAY this article might have been solely centered around the adventures of Sam Prendergast, AKA Irish Rugby ’s Next Big Thing™, on the occasion of his first Test start.
Yet to keep the focus on Prendergast – who was far and away the biggest talking point ahead of this 52-17 win for the home side – would be to overlook the many other points of interest as Andy Farrell looked to push through another young crop of players. The Ireland head coach gets some criticism for not handing out more caps but that feels misplaced. In truth, Farrell has been good at promoting those who he feels are ready to step up.
Early in the second half McCarthy’s soft hands opened the door for Bundee Aki to score Ireland’s fifth. There was a touch of fortune involved with referee Hollie Davidson obstructing lock Mesake Vocevoce in the build-up, but that doesn’t take away from McCarthy’s vision and accuracy. There was an important early tackle on Fiji tighthead Luke Tagi in the 22, before another strong hit on loosehead Eroni Mawi further out the field. There was an early try crossed off due to a forward Hansen pass and an impressive lineout steal. There was one pacey break from deep, but perhaps not as many dynamic moments as the flanker would have liked before being replaced by his Ulster teammate Iain Henderson 50 minutes in.
It was much better than his New Zealand horror-show, which he was never likely to repeat. In between being flattened by Fiji’s barreling props, Tagi and Mawi, Frawley brought quick feet and sharp passing, working nicely in tandem with Prendergast. They make an intelligent one-two.
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