Timoney scores brace of tries as 'underwhelming' Ireland beat 14-man Fiji

An unimpressive Ireland recorded their 11th successive home Test win on Saturday, beating a flamboyant but undisciplined Fiji side 35-17 at Lansdowne Road in an Autumn Nations Series match. 

The Fijians scored the two most eye-catching tries of the game, but two yellow cards and the sending off of Albert Tuisue early in the second half robbed them of any realistic chance of a first-ever win over their opponents. 

The Irish scored five tries -- all converted -- but few of the fringe players who played will have done their chances much good of breaking into the starting line-up for the final Test against Australia next Saturday. 

Nick Timoney, though, will remember the match fondly as the second row forward touched down twice -- his first tries for his country. 

"Pretty underwhelming but delighted that we got the victory," Ireland head coach Andy Farrell told Amazon Prime. 

"Some lads got their opportunities, and I was delighted for the three lads that got their debut to get a win for them. 

"It is very underwhelming for us, but fair play Fiji." 

Fiji made an explosive start with Kalaveti Ravouvou scoring a superb try after a delightful passing move which caught the Irish flat-footed -- Teti Tela converting for 7-0. 

The Irish also lost centre Robbie Henshaw at the same time. 

The British & Irish Lion star ruefully shaking his head, clearly having not fully recovered from the hamstring problem that kept him out of last Saturday's win over the Springboks. 

The Irish were rocked and took their time to get their act together before Timoney went over for his first Test try in his third match for his country. Joey Carbery converted to pull them level at 7-7. 

The Fijians were reduced to 14 men shortly before the 20th minute as prop Manasa