Ireland score seven tries to beat Fiji 43-15 in Nations Championship

Ireland beat Fiji 43-15 at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, scoring seven tries to secure a bonus-point victory in the Nations Championship. The hosts led just 17-15 at half-time but added 26 points without reply after the interval. BBC Sport reported that the result kept Ireland one point behind northern hemisphere leaders France, with England ahead of the Irish on points difference.

Watch the highlights:

Tommy O’Brien and Robert Baloucoune each finished with two tries, while Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter and Nick Timoney also crossed. Fiji’s first-half scores came through Josua Tuisova and captain Peceli Yato, with Ben Volavola supplying a conversion and penalty. Their strong opening left the visitors within reach of an upset before Ireland pulled clear during the second half.

According to The 42’s live coverage, O’Brien opened the scoring after Ireland moved possession across the field through Baloucoune and Mack Hansen. Jamison Gibson-Park subsequently crossed, but a review ruled out the score for a knock-on. Fiji then turned the contest around: Tuisova broke through for their first try before Jiuta Wainiqolo set up Yato on a counterattack that put the visitors 12-7 ahead.

Baloucoune’s two tries restored Ireland’s advantage before the break. BBC Sport reported that Sam Prendergast supplied the passes for both finishes, while Fiji had a potential Luke Tagi try disallowed for a knock-on at a line-out. The half ended with another setback for Ireland when captain Tadhg Beirne was yellow-carded, allowing Volavola to reduce the deficit to two points with his penalty.

Ireland regained control despite starting the second half a player short. The 42 reported that Kelleher scored from a maul after a scrum penalty, before Porter added another try following a tap penalty. O’Brien then collected Prendergast’s grubber kick for his second score. Timoney completed the seven-try haul late on, with Ciaran Frawley converting to bring the total to 43.

Fiji remained without a point in the competition, according to BBC Sport. Ireland now face South Africa in Dublin as they pursue a place in the inaugural Nations Championship’s showpiece at Twickenham on 29 November. The bonus-point win preserved that opportunity, although their narrow half-time lead underlined how competitive Fiji had been before the hosts established a decisive advantage.