Three tries: Craig Gilroy
Ulster wing Craig Gilroy scored three tries as an Ireland XV romped to a 53-0 win over Fiji in Limerick on Saturday.
Gilroy was the star of the show while Fergus McFadden grabbed two tries and Sean Cronin, Darren Cave and Luke Marshall added the gloss.
Fiji were looking to bounce back from losing to England but could not cope with their hosts, who nilled the islanders in a strong performance.
But it will be Gilroy's showing that may cause Ireland coach Declan Kidney to have a rethink about his selection for next week's clash with Argentina as the Ulster finisher was superb.
Fiji will face Georgia next week in Tbilisi.
The scorers:
For Ireland XV:
Tries: Gilroy 3, McFadden 2, Cronin, Cave, L Marshall
Con: Jackson 5
Pen: Jackson
Ireland XV: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (capt), 7 John Muldoon, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 David Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Jonathan Sexton, 23 Simon Zebo.
Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Simeli Koniferedi, 13 Vereniki Govena, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Iliesa Ratuva, 5 Api Naikatini, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Manasa Saulo, 18 Setefano Somoca, 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20 Jovili Domolailai, 21 Kelemedi Bola, 22 Saula Radidi, 23 Timoci Matanavou.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: Neil Hennessy (Wales), Sean Brickell (Wales)
Television match official: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
Comments
damo says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AubDt_66nOo
Madigan to play at 12 instead of darcy any thoughts? Hes scored more trys than darcy has in his entire career all ready and is young and can spot a gap
WATCH THE BELOW: Kidney is killing our National team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vWBfeu4sEI&feature=fvwrel
Posted 22:13 19th November 2012
damo says...
Every time Murray passed the ball he was hit, and hit legitimately as his distribution is poor, he never makes a break and other than being a strong build he does nothing similar to Heaslip, ha did you see him make a run in midfield dodging tackles, someone (MikeMccarthy) please tell him he is meant to be a big ball carrier so stop running away onto the wings in fear of having to make a tackle!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kidney must go - I have said it from prior to last years 6nations, then Darcy must go allowing a number 12 who can run, break tackles and score trys Gordo does none of the above $exy at 12 ROG at 10 and we could beat the Argies, Marshall has to get a start at 9 as Ireland have been weak there for many years, Heaslip needs to be dropped and what does Dekkie do (Captain :)) Hilarious, he must have said who looks the stupidest and has the worst stats for a number 8 in International rugby for line breaks/tackle busts - oh yeah he is my new Captain (IDIOTIC)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gilroy deserves a start for the simple reason he is able to score trys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYZJuHJcfdQ
Posted 22:07 19th November 2012
Willy says...
Kidney will make 1 change from the SA game (barring injuries) he'll drop Trimble and bring in McFadden and possibly put Gilroy on the bench.
Don't agree with it but thats what we're stuck with till Kidney goes
Posted 12:38 19th November 2012
GCP_JONES says...
@Gleek ...
That would be great to see,they could stop off in Canada or the States on the way home for a couple of matches. Samoa for inclusion in the rugby championship.
The development of the game internationally should be of paramount importance to everyone
Posted 22:14 18th November 2012
GCP_JONES says...
@Dougie...DaveJ .
On the contrary, rugby gives me a lot of joy its the greatest team sport in the world, My point is that these games in November are lacking in the qualities that make it a great sport,that effort last night was not a contest,Fiji are not allowed to compete due to the pressures of professionalism its wrong, they were down something like 2 thirds of their potential squad.
We have seen some great performances over the last couple of weeks Samoa on friday night being one of them, but not 1 good match with 15 to 15 fifteen men showing no quarter.
The situation where a international team has to go out looking for kit days before playing in front of 82,000 people in Twickenham is a sad reflection on our sport, if your happy to watch that match last night and get any joy from it good luck to the pair of you.
Test rugby is in a pretty shambolic state which needs a change of mindset(and that might start with you 2 coping on)
Posted 21:34 18th November 2012
Norm says...
papachinzo
With the exception of Darcy I agree entirely with your selection for next week. The alternative to Darcy, why the hell not go with Marshall? Oh thats rights we still have Kidney. Seriously cant get carired away with Luke Marshall after yesterday but also cant ignore the dearth of options we have at 12, so we need to try something.
Gilroy, its all been said here, but have to mention Marshall, I have not seen such speed and athleticism by an irish #9 jersey for so long, one particular ball he caught off the top of the line was passed in the same stride as his catch at speed, even Stringer in his day would not have sent that ball at such speed while himself travelling at speed. Brilliant! Henderson, great and I agree with the rain of thought this guy should now be groomed as second row cover.
Also to mention McFadden, brought tpo mind the churchill a few years ago when he won tournament MVP. brilliant stuff.
Now how much of this great momentum can be stunted for these players in the coming 6 months?
And its been said again IRFU hang your heads in shame. Gilroy won a hatrick on his first international test start. Oh thats right it wasnt a test!
Posted 21:27 18th November 2012
NHsaints says...
All considered I hope Gilroy makes the starting team for Ireland with Bowe, I still want to see Payne in the first XV too but ireland at least have a little depth coming through.
Posted 18:31 18th November 2012
Gleek says...
If the IRFU really want to make a contribution to Fijian and Islander Rugby they will send a side to tour Samoa, Tonga and Fiji over he summer. The welsh are in Japan but as far as I know Ireland are not planning to go anywhere.
Posted 17:59 18th November 2012
papachinzo says...
It was a poor Fiji side, but saying that, this was a 3rd string, inexperienced Ireland. A full strength England only beat them by 42, Ireland could have beaten them by 60 or 70 if Murray had gone off earlier...
Watching Paul Marshall pass the ball was like breathing in the freshest air, I really don't see a valid excuse for Kidney not to start him, Cave and Gilroy next week...
My Ireland team to face the Pumas:
1.Healy 2.Strauss 3.Bent 4.Ryan 5.Tuohy 6.Mahony 7.Henry 8.Heaslip 9.Marshall 10.Sexton 11.Gilroy 12.D'Arcy 13.Cave 14.Bowe 15.Zebo
16.Cronin 17.Kilcoyne 18.Ross 19.McCarthy 20.Henderson 21.Murray 22.Jackson 23.McFadden/Marshall
Posted 17:32 18th November 2012
Dougie says...
GCP_Jones, I'm completely serious here. You need to stop watching rugby. You are the most miserable person I've ever come across in my life and rugby seems to bring you absolutely no joy at all. Every win is a begrudging win to you, and every loss compounds your prejudices. I really feel sorry for anyone who knows you in real life.
Posted 14:45 18th November 2012
DaveJ says...
GCP Jones, I don't agree with any of your negative rubbish ideas or sentiments about international rugby, not bothered offering you time out of my life by typing out a full conversational piece but I wanted to make you aware that you are an angry little man and you are full of it. Good day.
Posted 12:06 18th November 2012
DaveJ says...
Curates_egg - How very ironic
Posted 11:58 18th November 2012
GCP_JONES says...
@keeganleinster and georgesmith
Re: Fiji players,
I read during the week they were down 20 1st choice players (possibly a few through injuries).5 of the team last night are based in Fiji I assume their not professional. As I said earlier International rugby is a joke, the situation with Fiji just high lights that.
SCRAP THESE POINTLESS END OF SEASON TOURS....Have the World cup every 2 years to raise revenue.
Posted 08:33 18th November 2012
bcrugby913 says...
RETHINK IT?????????? paul marshall and craig gilroy startin, jonny sexton with paddy jackson waiting in the wings. and props please? that would be lovely.
Posted 07:38 18th November 2012
KiwiJoe says...
Poor performance by Fiji, but fair play to Ireland for not letting them off the hook.
Thought they might have gone for 60-0 though....
Posted 06:57 18th November 2012
keeganleinster says...
i think its all positives for ireland.not only did a second string ireland come close to beating a second string south africa but a third string ireland put 53 points on a fiji side who were ok short of there top players but still the best side they could gather.......this will only add to the youngsters confidence upwards for eire
Posted 05:56 18th November 2012
jtimkins says...
I reckon there's not much to gather from this because of the poor Fiji performance. But I did admire the performance of Gilroy and Henderson. That said, only gilroy possibly will make next team. I enjoyed zebo when he came on, also Paul Marshall was great. I honestly think, barr stupid mistakes, we can bring Argies to the sword, possibly depending on selection
Posted 04:37 18th November 2012
side_stepper says...
Bitterly disappointed not to score any points. Irish are back on the rise and imo, should see off the Pumas.
Still proud of my disappointing team though.
Posted 02:11 18th November 2012
georgesmith says...
There were some last-minute changes to the Fiji line-up. The islanders seem to be in a mess. A very ugly performance indeed. Fiji defence is always so poor, leaking in soft tries and hardly any decent hits. Individually, one-on-one, the players should be embarrassed because just like the Irish, they too are professionals and they failed to make tackles count.
Posted 01:38 18th November 2012
Demo19 says...
Weak opposition yes but the only way kidney would let these lads get in an Irish jersey. Luke Marshall was fantastic showed up in all the good plays that Ireland did quick feet , enthusiastic, passed out of the tackle basically like a young drico and darcy when they were just out of school, take note earls ! Paul Marshall quicken the game up straight away take note Murray. Gilroy finished fantastically who would have thought (ulster's top try scorer last season) take note Trimble and Henderson did very well (irish under 20's player of the tournament in my eyes) take not DOC. Great to see these young lads do well but will continue to be over looked ! Sad dark times under kidney !!!
Posted 00:42 18th November 2012