Russia wing German Davydov is a powerful presence at the breakdown.

The former sevens specialist clamps down over the tackled man after Garry Ringrose gets free and runs up towards the Russian five-metre line and gets the turnover.

And Bundee Aki spills the pill as Ramil Gaisin hoofs the ball clear.

Russia scrum just outside their own 22m.

A nice combination between replacements CJ Stander and Jack Carty move Ireland up towards halfway.

Another big carry from Stander keeps the momentum going.

Well this is interesting.

As they teams reassemble at the start of the second half, there is no sign of Johnny Sexton.

Ireland's first-choice 10 looked good in the first half after missing the defeat to Japan with a sore groin.

Instead Jack Carty is on in his place. Tactical or medical? Ireland fans will hope desperately that it is the former.

We are back under way.

Image source, Getty

Ireland - Russia

Possession: 67%-33%

Territory: 73%-27%

Metres run: 225-64

Clean breaks: 4-1

Defenders beaten: 7-6

Tackles made/attempted: 46/52- 94/101

Turnovers conceded: 9-7

Penalties conceded: 3-8

Matt Dawson
England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think anyone will be getting the hairdryer treatment in the changing room but Joe Schmidt will refocus them on what is working and the minimal amount of effort they need, rather than this Harem Scarem approach against Russia.

I would still expect them to score another four or five tries after half-time.

The gong sounds and the teams disappear down the Kobe tunnel...

Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI at the Kobe Misaki Stadium

Hurrah for that, we were just minutes away from a Mexican wave there.

Ireland aren't in danger of losing this game so their biggest concern will be sleepwalking to the full-time whistle.

They stagnated for 20 minutes there, much to the displeasure of the Irish majority in the crowd.

Luke Fitzgerald
Former Ireland back on BBC Radio 5 Live

That was a real team try by Ireland and they are very direct.

It could be a really telling period because it's attritional and it can take a lot out of opposition packs, especially if they are a man down.

Russia's Ramil Gaisin snaps a drop-goal attempt, but that is falling sort and into the grateful arms of Keith Earls.

Another penalty against Russia.

And referee Jerome Garces looks like he is dipping into his pocket...

Yep, Bogdan Fedotko is his man. Twice the second row was guilty of sneaking up the side of the ruck to slow down the ball.

Russia are down to 14 men and have to defend a five-metre scrum without their bulky lock...

Image source, Reuters

Ireland with some go-forward as Luke McGrath snipes and slides into space. Rhys Ruddock thumps up another 10 metres.

Russia's fast-retreating defence is not going backwards quickly enough.

Offside and Ireland kick into the corner to tweak the vice tighter once again.

Can they get over here?

Image source, AFP

Very canny from Ramil Gaisin.

The Russia fly-half with a choice cut of slipper, nudging a superb kick into the corner to give Niall Scannell a high pressure line-out throw.

Ireland are making a change. Jordi Murphy is coming off with CJ Stander on to cover the back row.

Russia gulp with relief.

Fly-half Ramil Gaisin spilled the ball as he tried to feint a clearing kick and dart inside the advancing Johnny Sexton.

Fortunately for them, Jerome Garces is going back to the line-out where Peter O'Mahony bumped the Russia jumper illegally in the air.

Ireland are slow to support Rob Kearney as the full-back takes an up-and-under as snowy as a Siberian January.

Russia with a fierce counter-ruck claim the turnover, but Peter O'Mahony poaches an interception after reading second row Bogdan Fedotko's telegraphed pass.

Image source, AFP

Matt Dawson
England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

Ireland are littered with players who are used to playing in big European matches and know how to put teams away, and yet, I do not think they are playing the right style of rugby.

Every time they get quick ball a forward takes it up. As soon as the ball needs to go to the backs it always seems to slow down and they are just not quite clicking.

Penalty Russia!

Uncharacteristically inaccurate from Ireland as they win the ball in the line-out but are then penalised for truck and trailering, with David Kilcoyne breaking off the back of the ruck and then rebinding to fellow prop John Ryan.

Russia are hurling bodies in front of the tank tracks.

They are offside though.

Johnny Sexton kicks into the corner to set up the chance to drive over from the line-out...

Ireland are arm-wrestling their way forward through bursts around the fringes from the pack.

They are five metres short...