Ireland shake off sluggish start to brush aside Fiji
The result left Ireland one point off northern hemisphere leaders France - and behind England on points difference - before next week's mouthwatering tussle with world champions South Africa in Dublin as they look to seal a spot in the inaugural competition's Twickenham showpiece on 29 November.
- Fiji 'did Ireland a favour' before South Africa game Nations Championship: Ireland fight back to earn bonus-point win over Fiji - reaction Fiji frustrate slow-starting Irish When these sides last met, in Dublin two years ago, Ireland scored four converted tries to effectively end the contest by half-time on their way to a 52-17 win.
- Line-ups Ireland: Mack Hansen; Rob Baloucoune, Jamie Osborne, Bundee Aki, Tommy O'Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Nick Timoney.
- Despite making seven changes from last week's victory over the Pumas and losing centre Jamie Osborne to an early injury, Ireland threatened to gallop into the distance in a hurry.
But Ireland were further vexed before half-time amid an increasingly uneasy atmosphere at Aviva Stadium when Baloucoune's second try was followed by a yellow card for captain Tadhg Beirne - after Angus Gardner had initially shown a card to James Ryan.
- After thumping Argentina last week, Ireland failed to click in an unconvincing opening, with Tommy O'Brien's early try and a Robert Baloucoune double enough for a 17-15 lead.
- Fiji, playing with rising confidence, responded when prop Luke Tagi burst over, but Isoa Nasilasila was adjudged to have knocked the ball in the away side's line-out.
- Gibson-Park, back in the starting line-up, thought he had added a second for Ireland, but the scrum-half lost control of the ball as he touched down.
- Ireland must now beat the Springboks next week and hope France and England slip up against Argentina and New Zealand to secure a berth in the final.
- From there, Fiji decided to get moving and hit back quickly when mountainous centre Tuisova barged over the line after a piercing carry by Yato.
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