Ireland dig deep to see off stern Japan test in Galway

Ireland duly made home advantage and favouritism tell on a glorious Galway day, but they made somewhat heavy weather of it. They retained a core of the side which beat Japan 42-14 at the World Cup 13 months ago whereas Japan are in a rebuild, yet this win proved a good deal more difficult than had been anticipated or looked likely for much of the first half.

Having moved into a 19-0 lead once again their defensive maul proved an Achilles heel, three times the Japanese maul rumbled over the Irish try-line with alarming ease, and so made what should have been a more convincing win a little nervier than should have been the case.