Resurgent eight-try Ireland breeze past Fiji

Craig Casey kicked a conversion and scored his first Ireland try in Dublin

Ireland (28) 52

Tries: Doris, van der Flier, Casey, Hansen 2, Aki, McCarthy, Kelleher Cons: Prendergast 5, Casey

Fiji (3) 17

Tries: Salawa, Turagacoke Cons: Muntz 2 Pens: Muntz

Ireland put in their most convincing performance of the autumn internationals with a 52-17 victory over Fiji in Dublin.

Heading into their third fixture off the back off a defeat by the All Blacks and a narrow, tense win over Argentina, a much-changed Irish side dominated Fiji from the off.

Captain Caelan Doris, one of eight players to retain their place from the narrow win over the Pumas, crashed over in the fourth minute.

Minutes after kicking his first points in Ireland colours, Sam Prendergast was sent to the sin-bin but Andy Farrell's side rallied and Josh van der Flier touched down in the 14th minute.

Craig Casey and Mack Hansen, from Prendergast's cross-field kick, added further scores before half-time as the hosts led 28-3 at the break.

Bundee Aki crossed seven minutes into the second half before Kitione Salawa hit back for the Fijians.

McCarthy, who had already chalked up three assists, drove over from a maul to spark a chaotic five-minute spell.

Setareki Turagacoke crossed for Fiji before the replacement was shown a yellow card, and Hansen grabbed his second try as he dived over in the corner.

Ronan Kelleher scored an eighth try in the final minute to round out a convincing win in Dublin.

After a stuttering autumn series, it gives Andy Farrell's side some much-needed momentum heading into their final match against Australia, coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt, on Saturday.

Ireland get off to flying start

After a mixed start to their autumn, Farrell made seven changes and handed debuts to hooker Gus McCarthy and Ulster's Cormac Izuchukwu, along with a first start for Prendergast as the search for Johnny Sexton's heir at fly-half continued.

It was a warm atmosphere on a mild afternoon in Dublin, as the Fijian players bowed while being introduced to Irish president Michael D Higgins, which was met by a round of applause by the Irish support.

However, the injection the crowd required came when debutant McCarthy popped the ball back inside to Doris from a maul and the Irish captain crashed over.

Prendergast kicked his first points in an Ireland jersey, but minutes later the fly-half was sent to the sin-bin for a clumsy shoulder check on Kitone Salawa.

Fiji almost immediately capitalised when Luke Tagi went flying down the right wing and popped the ball to Jiuta Wainiqolo, who looked to touch down but his outstretched arm came up just short before the ball was lost forward.

Despite being a man down, Robbie Henshaw made a strong break into the 22 before Jacob Stockdale was brought down just short.

However, the Fijians infringed at the breakdown and, after taking the tap and go from the resulting penalty, Van der Flier powered his way over the line for a second Irish score.

With Prendergast still on the sidelines, scrum-half Casey landed a solid conversion.

Fiji got on the board through Caleb Muntz's well-taken penalty, but there was an immediate setback as Eroni Mawi was yellow carded for a tip tackle on Doris just as Prendergast returned to the field.

Sam Prendergast, 21, settled well after a mixed opening half hour on his first Ireland start

Izuchukwu thought he had extended Ireland's lead on his debut when he crossed after a scintillating Irish attack, but play was brought back by referee Hollie Davidson for a forward pass by Mack Hansen.

However, Ireland responded and Casey grabbed his first international try as he jumped over in the corner with an athletic finish from McCarthy's pass off the back of a maul.

Prendergast added the difficult conversion before his brightest moment of his mixed first start an Ireland shirt.

The 21-year-old spotted Hansen out wide off the back of a scrum, and the his inch-perfect kick was gathered by the Connacht wing with the clock in the red.

Prendergast's third conversion went in off the post as Ireland ended the half with a comfortable buffer.

Stockdale almost got in right at the start of the second half after a perfect flat pass by Prendergast, but Ireland showcased their dominance with Aki's try in the 46th minute.

After more neat hands by Izuchukwu and Casey, McCarthy's impressive debut continued as he made some yards in the 22 and unselfishly found Aki, who was able to cross unchallenged.

Stockdale, on his first Ireland start in 15 months, was forced off with an injury, which will be a worry for Ulster with their European campaign just two weeks away, and Fiji capitalised on a makeshift Irish backline when Salawa crossed for their first try of the match off a line-out, and Muntz added the conversion.

Conor Murray, playing on the wing after Stockdale's injury, was denied a try as he gathered a pass by Ciaran Frawley, but Davidson again ruled it was forward and the score was immediately chalked off.

But McCarthy, who has just six appearances for Leinster, capped a superb Ireland debut as he powered over from a maul, which Prendergast converted, before chaos ensued as Fiji sprinted up the other end of the pitch and replacement Setareki Turagacoke crossed unchallenged.

The try-scorer was then sent to the sin-bin for a tackle on Casey, and Hansen immediately capitalised as he crossed to bring a frantic five-minute spell to a close.

Replacement Kelleher scored in the final minute to cap a strong Irish performance, and eyes will now switch to a final autumn match with the Wallabies next Saturday.

Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cormac Izuchukwu, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.

Sin-bin: Prendergast

Fiji: Vuate Karawalevu; Jiuta Wainiqolo, Wausea Nayacalevu (co-capt), Joshua Tuisova, Ponipate Loganimasi; Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere (co-capt), Luke Tagi; Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua; Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Kitone Salawa, Elia Canakaivata.

Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Samu Tawake, Setareki Turagacoke, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Vilmoni Botitu, Sireli Maqal.

Sin-bin: Mawi, Turagacoke

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)