Ireland pull away from Fiji for seven-try Nations Championship win

Ireland beat Fiji 43-15 in Dublin to claim a bonus-point victory in the Nations Championship, scoring 26 points without reply after half-time. BBC Sport reported that the result keeps Andy Farrell's side one point behind northern hemisphere leaders France, with England ahead of Ireland on points difference as the competition moves towards its concluding fixtures.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrI1WcSgihQ

The final margin concealed a difficult first half for the hosts, who led only 17-15 at the interval. Tommy O'Brien scored the opening try and Robert Baloucoune added two more, but Fiji stayed close through tries by Josua Tuisova and Peceli Yato. Ben Volavola's penalty shortly before the break reduced Ireland's advantage to just two points.

Ireland had made seven changes following their win over Argentina and lost centre Jamie Osborne to an early injury. Their back-three combination helped O'Brien cross in the eighth minute, with Mack Hansen and Baloucoune involved. Jamison Gibson-Park then appeared to have extended the lead, only for his effort to be denied after he lost control while grounding the ball.

Fiji's response came through their powerful runners. Yato's carry helped create Tuisova's try, and the visiting captain subsequently scored himself after Jiuta Wainiqolo broke through the defence. Fiji also had an apparent try by prop Luke Tagi ruled out because of a knock-on by Isoa Nasilasila in the line-out, according to the BBC report.

The visitors remained in contention when Ireland captain Tadhg Beirne was shown a yellow card before the interval. But they were unable to add to their score after the restart. Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, O'Brien and Nick Timoney completed Ireland's seven-try total, with O'Brien joining Baloucoune on two. Sam Prendergast supplied three conversions and Ciaran Frawley added another.

Fiji remain without a point in the competition after a second successive heavy defeat, having lost 54-17 to France the previous week. Ireland next host South Africa in Dublin as they pursue a place in the inaugural Nations Championship's showpiece at Twickenham on 29 November. The win preserved that opportunity despite the pressure Fiji exerted during the opening half.