Ireland got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start, dispatching the Canadian challenge with expected ease as they won 50-7 in Cardiff.
The bonus point was in the bag after half an hour, and Ireland picked up the pace again in the final quarter as Joe Schmidt’s men ran in a total of seven tries. Much tougher tests await, but a wholly satisfying way to kick things off.
15. Rob Kearney 7
As usual, dealt with everything thrown at him in the air, and became more of an attacking threat as the game opened up in the final quarter. Rewarded for support of Earls with the easiest try he will ever score for Ireland.
14. Dave Kearney 7
Will be happy with his World Cup debut. Coped well when put under pressure and finished off Fitzgerald’s fine work with a clinical, weaving run for his try.
13. Jared Payne 7
A fine outing was spoiled a bit when he gifted the ball to DTH van der Merwe Canada’s lone try. Before that though, the Ulster centre was strong in defence and showed confidence in his burst when taking on Canada’s speedy outside backs and he was on Madigan’s shoulder to put Ireland over the 50-point mark.
12. Luke Fitzgerald 8
Filled in for the injured Henshaw so well you’d again wonder why it was felt so important to bring Darren Cave to the tournament. Missed one opportunity to counter when he failed to pick up on the run, but otherwise his slick hands and quick feet were well utilised in the tight spaces in midfield. Can take much of the credit for Dave Kearney’s try as he sucked in Canadian cover.
11. Keith Earls 7
Kept the pacy Van der Merwe mostly in check and delivered a thumping hit on would-be tackler full-back Mike Evans. Put a try on a plate for Rob Kearney when he realised he didn’t have the gas to go all the way.
10. Jonathan Sexton 8
Pulled the strings masterfully, and showed surprising speed to score from 30 yards out in the corner. Went a little off the boil after the break, and all of Ireland will no doubt have been happy to see his day end after 55 minutes.
9. Conor Murray 8
Like his half-back partner, Murray’s decision making kept Ireland on the front foot in the first half. The Munster man showed excellent variety in his game, whether delivering quick ball, putting boot to ball or asking questions of Canada’s fringe defence.
1. Jack McGrath 6
Useful in the loose but the questions asked in the setpiece are only going to get tougher.
2. Rory Best 6
See Jack McGrath.
3. Mike Ross 6
Doesn’t often find himself as the overlap, but Dave Kearney’s clinical finish meant Ross is still waiting for his first international try. Otherwise a solid day for the tighthead, who, like his front-row mates awaits bigger tests later in the competition.
4. Iain Henderson 9
Delivered on the promise of the warm-ups with an immensely physical display. Carried with menace and there was no way he was going to be stopped when he bulldozed three Canadians for his first-half try. Remains a back-row option and also made an impact at the breakdown. Our man of the match.
5. Paul O’Connell 7
Looked about ten years younger as he charged about the field with renewed hunger. Twice came agonisingly close to scoring, first when stopped inches short and then later held up over the line. Yellow card took some shine off his day though.
6. Peter O’Mahony 7
Made his presence felt at the breakdown and when called upon in defence and was a useful option at the lineout, especially when stealing a Canadian defensive throw near the try line.
7. Sean O’Brien 8
Typically dynamic performance and his strong carrying led to Ireland’s first points of the day. Rewarded with the first try of the day at the back of a dominant Irish maul, while his delicious inside pass made Sexton’s try.
8. Jamie Heaslip 7
With Henderson and O’Brien leading the way carrying, Heaslip, as he can, settled in for a satisfying day of dirty work. When it was needed, Heaslip’s goalline tackling was stout, and the Leinster man stepped up to marshall the team’s defences during O’Connell’s spell in the sin bin.
Subs:
16. Sean Cronin for Best (60) 7
Comfortable at the lineout as Canada weren’t contesting by that stage. Always hungry for ball and came off a nice line to finish under the posts. His turnover led to Rob Kearney’s counter-attack try.
17. Cian Healy for McGrath (60) 6
Survived the first hit, and those that came after. Mission accomplished.
18. Nathan White for Ross (60) 6
Had very little to do, but as Ross’s understudy fills a hugely important role in Schmidt’s squad.
19. Donnacha Ryan for O’Connell (75)
Not on long enough to rate.
20. Chris Henry for O’Brien (63) 6
Was busy as Ireland got the scoreboard ticking over, but his breakdown skills will be more important in tighter clashes ahead.
21. Eoin Reddan for Murray (65) 7
Lifted the tempo again as Ireland finished on a high.
22. Ian Madigan for Sexton (56) 6
Sought to take advantage of tired Canadian legs and created try for Payne, but was guilty of taking wrong decision when kicking over Fitzgerald’s head when Ireland had a huge overlap.
23. Simon Zebo for Rob Kearney (78)
Not on long enough to rate.
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