Ireland overpower Scotland in emphatic Rugby World Cup win

Ireland's James Ryan in action with Scotland's Greig Laidlaw - Reuters

YOKOHAMA, AFP: Ireland powered past Six Nations rivals Scotland 27-3 to put themselves in the box seat to reach the quarter-finals at the Rugby World Cup yesterday.

Three pushover tries in the first half did the damage before wing Andrew Conway grabbed a fourth after the break to secure a bonus-point win, with games to come against Japan, Russia and Samoa in Pool A.

“We started really well – we were positive, we wanted to attack,” said Ireland captain Rory Best.

“Obviously with the conditions in the second half it became a bit more of an arm wrestle but we know how good a team they are and we’re delighted with that win.” With a sea of green-clad Ireland supporters dominating the stands at a packed but wet International Stadium Yokohama, Ireland were in no mood to be nice to their Six Nations rivals.

In a brutally physical game, in which the medics were rushed off their feet, Ireland bossed the breakdown and held a commanding 19-3 lead at half-time.

As the rain’s intensity increased in the second half it was Ireland who relished the deteriorating weather most with a further eight points.

Conor Murray was given a dream ride behind a rampant forward pack, directing traffic with aplomb, particularly with an on-target kicking game, and pre-match concerns about Ireland’s injury-hit backline quickly evaporated.