Star Metro - Ireland scramble to scrappy win over Japan

The final scoreline, which saw Ireland racking up six tries to one, flattered the home side who were sluggish and lacking cohesion for much of the game against a side that was thrashed 61-7 by South Africa at Wembley a week ago.

The Irish only took a grip on the game in a second half they took 24-0 as the Japanese legs began to tire.

Ireland coach made eight changes to the side that lost to New Zealand in Chicago last week but took the lead after a messy opening when fly-half Jack Crowley put over a simple penalty.

In the 17th minute, Japan centre Charlie Lawrence was sin-binned for a tip tackle on Ireland debutant Tom Farrell which created space a few moments later for Crowley to romp through for the opening try.

After half an hour, Ireland struck again as Ulster flanker Nick Timoney shrugged off a tackle and scurried through for the second try.

If that was meant to open the floodgates, Ireland were sorely mistaken as Japan controlled the rest of the half.

Their willingness to move the ball quickly gave their pacy backs space while the forwards stepped up to drive the ball into the Ireland 22.

When they appeared to take the ball over the line, Italian referee Gianluca Gnecchi initially ruled that it had been held up until an intervention by his touch judge gave the try to flanker Kenji Sato.

Japan had the last say in the first half when Seung-sin Lee fired over a penalty to make it 17-10 after Jacob Stockdale was handed a yellow for a head clash with Kippei Ishida.

A man down, Ireland showed more ambition at the start of the second half, quick ball giving Tommy O'Brien a sniff in the right-hand corner. He was dragged down just short of the line but the ball came back for prop Andrew Porter to crash over.

Stockdale had a try disallowed for an offside by replacement flanker Cian Prendergast but as Japan began to feel the pace another replacement, hooker Gus McCarthy, went over after a powerful rolling maul from a line-out in the corner.

A few minutes later, prop Paddy McCarthy also dotted down from close range for his first international try. Sam Prendergast then put O'Brien away to complete the win.

Ireland will face tougher tests in the next two weeks as they take on Australia and South Africa.

P.M.Martin--SMC