Ireland Thrash Japan in 60-5 Demolition

Japan, as I mentioned in my last article, are a quick exciting side that can cause upsets. This, however, was not the case at The Aviva on Saturday. Ireland consistently dominated Japan, only allowing through one well worked try which went unconverted. Ireland ran in 9 tries, 3 coming from a massively on-form Conway, one from the new centurion Johnny Sexton (to much ovation from the crowd) and a final nail in the coffin from Cian Healy on his 110th appearance in green. Sexton’s try was a wonderful moment in the match, the steely fly half broke a smile and his team mates piled on like an American Football touchdown celebration. It meant clearly meant a lot for him, and I think that’s why he’s been so important to Ireland all these years.

Ireland’s attacking play for the full 80 minutes seemed revived from the dreary, one dimensional attacking rugby that seemed to go stale and remain so for quite some time. Ireland have a new vigor, they’ve shown their hand just enough to get fans salivating for the New Zealand match, but not enough to give the All Blacks a means to study and defeat them. Ireland just showed a new found creativity, it seemed like Andy Farrell gave the play makers a creative license and they were willing to use it regularly and effectively. The pack also seemed so much more skillful and mobile than I’ve seen in a while. In that one game alone it felt like Ireland offloaded more times than they have done in their last 10 matches combined. Fast ball seemed to be the new foundation to their attack (particularly against fast paced team like Japan) and it worked for them, it worked well. Tries came from all over the pitch because the ball either didn’t get to a ruck or when it did the 9 had it whipped away as fast as their arms could manage.

The forwards found themselves in space, running with the ball a few times over the course of 80 minutes and they looked right at home. The best example of this is Tadgh Furlong breaking into space and giving a no look pass to Andrew Porter like a talented centre pairing.

It seems Ireland have a new energy about them and if they can maintain that into tougher opposition next week, it will stand them in good stead in a much bigger challenge.