Ireland labour to uninspiring win over 14-man Fiji

Ireland extended their winning streak at home to 11 games against an indisciplined Fiji but there were few other positives for Andy Farrell to take from an error-strewn contest.

Two tries for Nick Timoney off driving mauls and another from his Ulster team-mate Robert Baloucoune saw Ireland come from behind to lead 21-10 at the end of a forgettable first half, while Mack Hansen and Cian Healy crossed in the final quarter after Fiji had been permanently reduced to 14 men.

It was an inaccurate and at times uninspiring performance from Ireland, who coughed up cheap penalties early on and struggled off restarts. However, those inaccuracies were never going to prove costly against an opponent who played over half the match with a player less.

Fiji's discipline cost them dear against Scotland last weekend and it was a similar story here. Just like at Murrayfield they collected three cards, but this time one of them was red after Albert Tuisue was dismissed for a high tackle on Joey Carbery that led to the out-half being replaced.

Despite this they still scored the two best tries of the game, both sparked from inside their own half as Kalaveti Ravouvou gave them an early lead and Simione Kuruvoli scored a superb consolation with 14 minutes remaining.

Ireland even played against 13 men at one stage and eventually capitalised through Hansen’s second try in eight days, but there was little for the Aviva Stadium crowd to get excited about, with a Mexican wave receiving the biggest cheer of a forgettable afternoon.

Andy Farrell made nine changes to his starting line-up and that lack of continuity contributed to a disjointed start which was punished by Fiji, who struck on four minutes with a breathtaking try that began inside their own