Ireland defeated Russia 35-0 in a Pool A match at Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City on 3 October. Ireland had a 21-0 lead at the break.
In the final Pool A matches for both teams, Russia will face Scotland on Wednesday 9 October, while Ireland faces Samoa on Saturday 12 October.
Ireland beat Scotland 27-3 in round one and then lost 19-12 to Japan. Russia lost to Japan in the opening match of the tournament and then lost to Samoa 34-9.
Match Recap
Ireland jumped out in the first minute after fullback Rob Kearney exploited a gap after a breakdown and then Johnny Sexton adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Ireland went through 9 phases, but a poorly executed box kick without sufficient chase gave the ball back to Russia.
Russia placed Ireland under pressure with a high ball deep. Kearney fielded on the bounce with pressure from both wings and kicked the ball parallel into touch. Russia could not exploit the lineout and Ireland had a 5-meter scrum, which they then gained a penalty to clear.
On the ensuing Ireland attack, a Johnny Sexton grub was finished with a try by flanker Peter O’Mahoney with Sexton adding the conversion to push the lead to 14-0. Russia center Kirill Golosnitskij’s left knee struck the left post pad on the tackle and left the pitch and was replaced by #23 Vladimir Ostroushko.
an Ireland cross-kick was not fielded by wing Keith Earls, with the ball bouncing off a Russia player. Russia cleared after an Ireland scrum with Ireland mauling after a lineout just outside Russia’s 22-meters. Nineteen phases later, Russia was penalized with Ireland attacking from a lineout 5-meters out. loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne was penalized for a maul infraction and allowed Russia to clear.
After back and forth by both sides, Ireland had an extended attack in which Russia lock Bogdan Fedotko was sent to the bin after a third penalty by the side. Rhys Ruddock then went over from close range with Sexton adding the extras to lead 21-0.
Russia attacked from the ensuing restart and an attempted drop goal was short. After the clearance kick, Russia went through 12 phases and gave up possession with a high ball. A penalty by Russia gave Ireland one last opportunity to attack from a lineout but did not result in additional points before the break.
Second Half
Ireland went through multiple phases and attacked deep inside Russia territory after a Garry Ringrose break. A handling error turned over to Russia and they cleared.
Russia then created a turnover with their tenacious defense for a scrum and kicked for territory after an Irish penalty. They mauled inside Ireland’s 22-meters, but the strong Ireland defense earned the turnover.
Andrei Ostrikov was sent to the bin for a hit to the head of tighthead prop John Ryan in a cleanout at the breakdown. This came just after Russia had returned to full strength after Bogdan Fedotko returned from the bin.
In the 57th minute, Russia attempted to avoid a shutout, however, flyhalf’ Ramil Gaisin’s penalty goal attempt was wide left.
In the 62nd minute, a chip ahead by jack Carty was taken by Andrew Conway for a bonus point try. Carty then slotted the conversion to take a 28-0 lead.
Ireland placed Russia under tremendous pressure, but the Russian defense created a turnover just prior to in-goal and resulted in a Russia 5-meter scrum. An Irish penalty allowed Russia to clear.
The pressure by Ireland continued with another attack, but a handling error gave the ball back to Russia and they cleared deep.
Ireland added a fifth try after attacking from a 22-meter drop. The Irish support was there with Garry Ringrose finishing with the try and Carty converting for a 35-0 lead in the 77th minute.
Ringrose then appeared to gather a loose ball for a try, however, after the TMO, Ringrose had knocked on the ball giving Russia a scrum.
With the win, Ireland moves to the top of the Pool A with 11 points, with Japan at 9, Scotland and Samoa with 5 and Russia with 0. Japan will play Samoa on Saturday in both team’s third round.
Ireland flanker Rhys Ruddock was named Player of the Match.
Squads & Match Preview
Ireland: 1. Dave Kilcoyne 2. Niall Scannell 3. John Ryan 4. Tadhg Beirne 5. Jean Kleyn 6. Rhys Ruddock 7. Peter O’Mahony 8. Jordi Murphy 9. Luke McGrath 10. Johnny Sexton (capt.) 11. Keith Earls 12. Bundee Aki 13. Garry Ringrose 14. Andrew Conway 15. Rob Kearney 16. Sean Cronin 17. Andrew Porter 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Iain Henderson 20. CJ Stander 21. Joey Carbery 22. Jack Carty 23. Jordan Larmour
Russia: 1 Andrei Polivalov 2 Evgeny Matveev 3 Kirill Gotovtsev 4 Andrei Garbuzov 5 Bogdan Fedotko 6 Anton Sychev 7 Tagir Gazhiev 8 Viktor Gresev 9 Dmitri Perov 10 Ramil Gaisin 11 Denis Simplikevich 12 Kirill Golosnitskiy 13 Igor Galinovski14 German Davydov 15 Vasili Artemyev (capt.) 16 Stanislav Selskiy 17 Valeri Morozov 18 Vladimir Podrezov 19 Andrei Ostrikov 20 Evgeny Elgin 21 Sergei Yanyushkin 22 Roman Khodin 23 Vladimir Ostroushko
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