Thanks to an iron defense and dominating front, Ireland offers a clear horizon until the quarters.
Thanks to an iron defense and the ultra-dominating forwards that pile up the tests, Ireland swept Scotland (27-3) with the bonus, Sunday, September 22 in Yokohama, to afford a clear horizon until quarter-finals of the World Cup. The first two of the Japanese World Cup are theoretically already known after the two "finals" of groups of the first day: New Zealand will face Scotland, and Ireland South Africa, unless Japan or Samoa do not upset the hierarchy in Pool A.
The Shamrock XV can prepare for its rendezvous against Japan, Saturday in Shizuoka, with confidence: the stereotyped game refined since 2013 by Joe Schmidt, which allowed them to access for the first time at the head of the world rank early September, is still devilishly effective. The Scots have paid the price, unable to cross the green defensive curtain. The only reason for concern, for Ireland, is still the same: the state of form of Johnny Sexton, regularly injured in recent months. The best player in the world 2018 had adductor treatment in the middle of the first period and then left the blame for the shot to Conor Murray. He was replaced by Jack Carty on the hour of play. But the Leinster opener did not need to force.
A match won by the fronts
His forwards won the match – like green in the stands – alone in the first period. Back from the locker room, the sustained rain on Yokohama did not logically settle the affairs of a lighter Scottish pack. The second-line Iain Henderson has taken for a three-fourths breakthrough that results in the test of his mate's " cage " James Ryan (6e). The Scots commit a penalty in Sexton's ropes? Rather than taking the points, the opener chooses the penaltouche and the ball carried by the Irish crosses the line (Rory Best, 14e).
Tadgh Furlong is still a forward, who flattens after Andrew Conway's opportunist counterpart and a quick scrum played by Murray (25).e). Perhaps annoyed at being robbed of the spotlight, three-quarters of Ireland finished the job: Conway scored the bonus try (56e) on a Sexton candle badly received by Stuart Hogg and recovered by Jordan Larmour.
Powerless, Scotland has also lost to injury his best tackle, the flanker Hamish Watson (14 tackles in 38 minutes!), Hit a knee. Even the yellow card inflicted on Tadhg Beirne (70e) did not help the XV thistle. Who will have a week to recover and recover against Samoa, Monday, September 30 in Kobe.
. @ IrishRugby applaud @Scotlandteam as they walk off the field after a physical 80 minutes of rugby #IREvSCO # RWC2019 https://t.co/gCVYQxY6jn
