Ireland XV v Fiji Rugby Union

I don't think I have seen an Ireland side make as many unforced

Ireland thrashed by New Zealand in Auckland. Newsy and snatched a

lucky victory over Ireland thanks to a last-minute drop goal by Dan

Ireland have been thrashed by the All Blacks. News event scored nine

tries. It is ball games in a row that we haven't won. You are

looking for us to make excuses and After that 5th defeat in a row,

their worst run in 14 years, Declan Kidney has decided to try some new

faces. No new caps but 12 changes from last Saturday's starting line-

up. Fiji are entertaining opponents but this is proving difficult, with

allegations that some clubs are not releasing their top South Sea

islanders. Come what may, they will receive a great reception in

Limerick, where Munster have always enjoyed welcoming and beating

international sides. They are stills -- still smiling despite

five defeats in a row. Jamie Heaslip, Conor Murray and Mike Ross

are the only three from last Saturday in the starting line-up.

It is not a Test match. Ireland are contractually only allowed to play

home tests at a different stadium. Welcome to Thomond Park. First time

for me here. Who would you want sat next to you on a chilly night but

Mr Munster himself? Without a shadow of the doubt! This is all

about giving new faces an opportunity, perhaps to play

themselves into the Test side for that all-important game against

Argentine end next week. There has been a huge call for making changes.

This could give the opportunity to see the Irish team for the next

three years. Become a star tonight, make a name. Absolutely. Ulster has

been the province of Ireland currently in this season, and

deservedly so, because they have shown great form. I hope they can

bring their form into this Ireland XV. Last night's performance from

us Samoa to beat Wales shows you should not underestimate the South

Sea Ireland's. Absolutely. Fiji have their own problems and the

players that have not been released but they have this spark and the

ability to ignite and they can be very difficult to play against, and

Wales were blown away by it last night. We will talk about the

specifics in a minute but we could not come from this town without

finding more from Keith. Limerick is the town he went to school with

and he played a bit of rugby for Munster, of course. This is his

guide to Limerick. I was born in Limerick but my real association

started here, 12 years later, at this college. This was the

foundation of a lot of great rugby stars in Ireland, from Anthony

Foley to Jerry Flannery and presence stars. It looks a bit drab

now but it is in the middle of a big refurbishment and it will be

This is the first place I picked up a rugby ball and I put it back down

two years later because I was a bit too small. I suppose there is hope

I am here on the living bridge in Limerick, a link between where I

came from in County Clare to where I played a lot of my early rugby in

County Limerick. It is based in the universe de of Limerick, a place

that has been at the forefront of sport and changed row last 30 or 40

years. It was the home for Olympic athletes, the first place for an

Irish 50 metre pool, one of the central pillars of Limerick, that

and Thomond Park. When I first walked out on Thomond Park all

those years ago, it was radically different. It has had a

transformation. Back then it was great and bleak when empty and

magnificent when it was full, and now it is magnificent all the time.

But one thing has stayed the same: The fans. The distance of the

support is only the events of the arm to pat you on the back. -- the

distance of the support is only the length of a non Atapattu on the

back. Watch out Michael Payne limp! Could you tell everybody way you

were entry you had lunch with today? The JP McManus scholarships

were announced today and Bill Clinton was there and six I was

invited. He made an important point. Too many people live in the past

and they need to look and live in the future. That fits. Inspiration

for this group of players. That is me with the ball! The interesting

bowl haircut! Have you ever see me with hair? No! How big is rugby

here and how important is it compare to be Gaelic sports? We

know it is a constant tussle to attracts them away from soccer and

the traditional sports. In Limerick, everybody supports everything.

Every sport is supported by everybody. You can kind of play

everything. All facets of society play it. Perhaps more mixed in

terms of the working class, middle class, than perhaps Dublin, which

tends to be the middle class and private schools. It has been

considered as such. But everybody liked rugby. It is incredibly

important. Limerick has had tough times in the past and when it has

needed to hang its hat on something it has hung it on sport and we saw

the footage of 1978 and the Munster beating the All Blacks and that was

very, very important. It was a tough time in Ireland and it was

I don't know if I was at that game, I was six years. My father would

have been at it. I have no memory of if I was with him. There were

12,000 at the game but 350,000 say they were there! Denis Hurley's

that was in at Munster side so it there is a link and two years ago,

but victory over Australia. And the worst weather of all time. The

biggest issue I have of this game, absolutely brilliant, Munster were

playing incredibly well and so much great effort put in by a lot of

young guys, and some us those was so fantastic that day and we have

not seen them since, which is one of the issues. When guys put their

hand up in the big games and if you can mix it with that, you have to

be able to mix it again in the future. This is the frustration and

Five wins out of seven in the Ireland Cup finals, so well, and

yet it does not seem to filter up the chain. Munster were so dominant

in Europe, winning the competition so many times and could not get

that performance in the green jersey, and Declan kidney came in

and in the first year, he wins the Grand Slam and you think, this is

the transformation. But for me, Keith and I have this discussion,

why don't they manage to perform? If we has... As we have seen, it

must be the green jersey, a mental block. They just become nervous and

not composed enough when they are wearing the green a set up which I

just cannot understand because they are very good. Do you they agreed?

Yeah. We have argued for a long time. I am not necessarily agreeing

with him but I am struggling to find my own reasons for why it does

not translate. When you look at the quality of the Irish team that has

been there for eight or ten years, you would have... 1 Grand Slam is

not a great return. But the history of Irish rugby is equal to

everything else that has happened. Maybe we will see a shackles off

performance today. Kidney was coaching Munster in 2006 and 2008.

I wonder he could tap into whatever it was the magic and a winning

performance is that he managed to elicit from them. I am sure he

would like to find that. Five defeats in a row.

Given the victory by Samoa over Wales, does that concentrate the

It certainly does. If you look at the June game between Fiji and

Samoa, there were only three points in it. We are no illusions -- under

no illusions about the size of the task. Winning has not come it easy

for Ireland today. Is that the motivation? No, it is about

performing properly, and I mean for 80 minutes. We have had good

patches of play but because we have not put it in for 80 minutes, we

have been beaten, so we need to rectify that. As a man of Munster,

you know this ground well. You have gone for a crop of young Ulster men.

Do you think they have the X- factor? They are here on merit and

that is what we told them. They are picked for what they have been

doing in the last 12 months. If they bring that with them, they

have been exciting to watch and a few of them have not been even

starting in Heineken Cup matches, but we are looking forward to it

today. Paddy Jackson, fly half Foster, a

great opportunity for him to make his debut in a sit Cup shirt. -- in

an Ireland shirt. He got drafted into the Ulster team semi-final

last year and he did very well. He was absolutely... He stood up very

well and he has matured a lot since and he is very fortunate. He is

grubbing and learning. He is young and he will not have the baggage,

he is playing for a winning Ulster team. He understands the

expectation of playing on a big occasion having played in the

Heineken Cup against Leinster and he has a lot of his team-mates. It

is just how his game starts. As long as he does not make too many

mistakes, he will grow in confidence. Now, this man has only

played 80 minutes of top-level rugby twice. And only six

appearances so far. Six games for Ulster and knows sides before that

and suddenly last week he is given an Irish jersey and gets his first

cap and a back -- and it is incredibly exciting. A lot of this

team off fairly fresh in terms of international experience and that

is not a bad thing. For too long, Ireland wait until everything is

right, tell everybody is fit and fast and experienced enough. You

want them to have a spark and you never want to lose that spark.

have to give them the opportunity. He has been brought along on Ulster

doing so well. A massive competition for him to get that

opportunities, but when you here a youngster coming through who is so

good, you have to make room for them and try to get them in in Test

matches, give him 20 minutes. O'Driscoll was saying last week,

you think you play an intense game in a Heineken Cup match but the

difference of the step up to international rugby, you can only

experience it by taking part. you never know until you are

speaking to the guys. If anything, that gap is getting bigger. You

have to give them the chance to see how the players react. Let's be

fair, it is not a test. That is something that is quite

controversial for Fiji. Should be It is tied into a contractual

rights situation were by all the international matches have to be at

the Aviva stadium in Dublin. The South Sea islands do not actually

get the respect they deserved and when the match, would you it does

not happen and it gets put into a representative game. I think that

they are FA has missed a trick here. There should have been a run in

association to say that they wanted to take this down to Limerick. And

do it for the right reasons. That is one issue Fiji have got to be

worried about. The other one which is deeper and more worrying is this

trend for players not to be released for them. What can the IRB

do to make sure that this does not happen and that their players are

released and they are a competitive force? It is about finances. The

Fijian players supporter a huge rally back in their homeland. And

for them not to play for their country they lose out financially

which means their families lose out back home, so they up doing the

right thing, in a way. And the only way that the IRB can affect it is

by giving them that financial support. The match should subsidise

the club and paid some money, for the likes of Western Samoa, Fiji

and Tonga. They scored an impressive try against England last

week. He plays for Glasgow on the wing. That shows you the

difficulties they have to contend with. It shows the difficulty, and

that most positions are interchangeable for them. They are

very comfortable with the ball, whereas we tend to pigeonhole

players early on in their careers and that is where they tend to go.

Fiji, their sevens team travelled round the world and have done so

well. Since the last time they played in 2009, Ireland a plague

that to six games and the Fijians have only played 16. -- Ireland

have played a 36 games. Unless they play in this -- the Pacific nation

come, then coming here, playing the northern hemisphere stuff, the

Magyar going to struggle. They will miss what they Fijians then to

rugby if they continue to drift away as it is at the moment, it

would be a disgrace. They might bring something of pure

unadulterated joy with the Bobby ball. And there statistics in the

scrum are quite impressive -- with the rugby ball. If you play

opposition that is a grade or two above, you rise to the occasion.

Today, they feel that this is a disrespectful because it has not

been made a Test match and they feel it possibly should have been

played at the Aviva Stadium. There will be a minute's silence for a

former Fijian international. He was a member of the PG World Cup that

beat Wales in a quarter final of the 2007 World Cup. -- Fijian World

Cup side. Heading down to pitch- side now. Gerry is considered a

veteran now, Jerry Flannery, how excited are you, when you look at

the back line and you look at those players and you think they are

playing well for Ulster, how might they book for Ireland? Gilroy did

exceptionally well here, and the likes of Luke Marshall, have all

been earmarked for the future for Ireland and whilst they might not

play a massive part in the next six months I think they have got a big

future. Are Ireland cannot seem to win at the moment. Ulster by

comparison are unbeaten. Do you think some of that confidence

Ulster Harp might seep through to Ireland? It is easier to win at

international level if you have been winning at provincial level.

And going from Ulster to Ireland will be easier for these lads. They

are used to winning. I hope that it will rub off and get a bit of

momentum back into the national squad again. A man who is very

familiar with this famous ground. Just how much do the people of

Limerick get behind Ireland? A call to arms? There has been a good buzz

around the city. There has been a big uptake inside Thomond Park.

People love their rugby year, and it is a great advertisement for the

city. Thank you. Thank you very much. Predictions? I hope that were

going to see this spark, a team that will play together as a team,

and to try and see if we can unearth two of three stars, and

play a structured game, but UN Ireland victory. But they play

sensibly and do the basics they will win, they don't need to try to

impress too much, just do it together, and they mac ll win. --

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

For Fiji, ever Fiji, let our voices ring with pride # For Fiji, ever

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

# Ireland, Ireland. # Together standing tall.

# Shoulder to shoulder. # Ireland, Ireland.

# Together standing tall. # Shoulder to shoulder.

# We'll answer Ireland's call. Limerick. One of the cathedrals of

why the sport. Good to see the Fijians anywhere in the old. Just a

shame, Philip Matthews, it is not a full international. That is down to

contractual arrangements. But it is a no-risk game for Declan Kidney to

blood some youngsters, particularly from Ulster. There will be a big

opportunity to play themselves into contention in the coming couple of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

second row. John Muldoon into the back row. One to look out for

a very much an Ulster flavour. The team for Fiji is left by Deacon

runners from anywhere and from all positions. The referee, from Wales,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

start Fiji wanted, they will not want set pieces. In their last

international against England, they did not perform in the set-pieces.

They will want to keep it very tied up front. -- tight. Ireland will

Irish prop, piles in -- Heaslip's leadership tactically.

This is something I would expect Ireland t used as a platform, if

Fiji are given those opportunities. remaining players from their defeat

against South Africa. Free-kick for O'Callaghan is giving instructions

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

will not necessarily hampered Ireland. They will probably want to

play a tighter game. Fiji are not that comfortable kicking the ball.

Ireland should be comfortable, of the evening. Always good to get

the first one straight and true, he hit that night and solid. Kidney, a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

certain pressure on the Irish coach. trying to do, not really wanting to

invite Fiji by trying to move the ball wide from his own half. Craig

Gilroy will be a bit disappointed, maybe he went a bit early for that

one. Ireland could turn this around with a timely scrum. This is the

first time to see how Fiji stand up Ravulo. Ball was out. He is allowed

Gilroy, Luke Marshall with the dummy and the feet. The Ulster

contingents made it happen. Luke Marshall made it. Very cool and

calm on the ball. It was a lovely fake. It was before defence by Fiji.

They should not have let Craig Gilroy keep running, be needed to

get the other side of him. Not much room for error there. That is a

great start and will be a real confidence boost to this very young

start in the rain. Fiji started well against England at Twickenham.

Looking ominous for them now. Ireland have had control of the

Another little bit of Ulster to add to do school. A lot of that came

from the good ground work that was laid up by those five phases. Fiji

are very quick after the tackle. Ireland will need to maintain their

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

discipline and commitment to the danger. Ireland gave the ball away

quite cheaply from the kick-off. Fiji will really want to counter

attack whatever ball they get, so Ireland need to be very much aware

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

Heaslip will fancy his chances to That is the undoing of Fiji. They

managed to get the ball back from a poor kick return from Fergus

McFadden and the Michael always be able to do that because they are

strong in the contact area, the Michael rip a lot of the ball clear.

They need to maintain possession to is a key mistake. Little errors

like that are going to be a key from Fiji in the game. They

certainly should not be under any pressure, there. The ball one, by

Violet Marshall. -- By Luke Marshall. The Fiji defence, rarely

putting pressure on the ball carrier. The tackles are coming in

very fast, not giving them much time to react. They need to attack

against the away side. -- against the Irish side. Again, Luke

Marshall looking a big threat in goes backwards. Yanuyanutawa.

Almost reluctantly, Leighton Hodges blows. Leighton Hodges just

pointing out Ireland did not have to roll away, because there was her

maul, and Jamie Heaslip, in particular, wasn't really moving.

Ireland, starting to put a little bit more width on the ball early

and it is growing Fiji on to them, that early throwing the ball wide,

it is difficult to going back to just rolling the ball. I would like

to see Ireland taking on Fiji a bit Ella on. -- earlier on. Jonathan

problem is with Jonathan Sexton but blind side for Conor Murray and

on there, Jerry Yanuyanutawa getting his complaints in their

first. That steer was him that the Sean Brickell. -- that stare was

and Gilroy sets off in pursuit. John Muldoon gets the ball with. --

sure. They appear to lose that, or did they get it back? We will have

another look. Fergus McFadden looks like a try scorer. Donncha

O'Callaghan with the congratulations. That is one for

Gareth Simmons, te TMO. -- the TMO. From the initial contact, it looks

like the ball was almost ripped through. That is going to be a try.

There is no sign that he has lost possession. But, was that a double

movement, or his -- is the TMO going to judge his momentum carried

him over. There appears to be no second movement, so, on balance,

that is going to be a try. I think that is going to be a try. You may

award the try. Gareth Simmons says that the try may be awarded. Fergus

McFadden is the try scorer. That was a good piece of string from the

cutback, from Fergus McFadden -- Jackson. Ireland leading by 17

points to nil. Craig Gilroy doing well to get in behind his opposite

number. That is the second time he has done that, and good hands, to

get that back and a good cut in for Fergus McFadden to finish that one

off. Ireland not being made to work too hard. Ireland coming straight

back at them from the restart. Conor Murray, mixing it up a bit.

That is working well from Craig Gilroy. Good food work, from the

Ulster winger. -- foot work. Ireland are a lot of people out on

this side. -- have a lot. Sean Cronin drives to the line. And it

is awarded. Fiji are in danger of collapsing and we are only just

into the second quarter. That is exactly what Fiji would not have

wanted. It was well worked. He has done the right thing on that

occasion. The Fijian cover was moving across to cover the wide

ball. Craig Gilroy is having a field day on this right-wing. He

did the right thing to go to ground, Donncha O'Callaghan, and not try to

get that pass away. Sean Cronin is a very dynamic, pacy hooker. Now,

discipline for Ireland. They do not want to get too far ahead of

themselves. That is exactly what looking ominous if you're wearing

the white of Fiji. Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall have made a very good

Australia tonight on BBC Three at 7 o'clock. Next week, Ireland against

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

Argentina. Fiji with set piece ball. Ireland. That is what they do, try

to release those runners on the game line, but Ireland met that

with a double tackle and got the turnover. There are some signs that

Fiji could easily get behind Ireland, so they might need to keep

the commitment up. The possession, 68% for Ireland, much of the game

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

being played in the middle of the It will be the corner. They have

got to do it. It is more than just getting a few points on the board.

They will now probably try to get something in the middle of the park.

Number 5, Naikatini, was playing in the back row against England. If

anything it is weaker than it was against England. It is overthrown

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

they cannot come up with a line-up captain, Deacon Manu. Ralulu

they cannot afford that. -- so precious. Ralulu will be

disappointed but he just took his eye as it looking for the defender.

The scrum has not been entirely satisfactory Fossett Cup tonight.

They would expected to be a bit more solid. Iain Henderson gets on

his feet well. He has a bit of a step as well. He is definitely

somebody to watch for the next couple of years. To really make an

impression as a number six, he will want to add that bit of physicality

when the opposition has got the ball, like Stephen Ferris.

entirely comfortable Fossett Cup, although they get the penalty. --

not entirely comfortable for see, be want to be a lot more

dominant in the scrum. -- they want to beat. This is a practice match

Cave and a try from the centre! Darren Cave has made his impression

now. He did not want to let Luke Marshall get too far ahead of them.

That is a big impression by the two That is poor defence. Koniferedi

should not have allowed that. Once big gap opens up and the first man

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

Frustration starting to show. On ideal attacking position but they

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

may well feel they are sufficiently We have a Fijian injured on the far

side. Luke Marshall had a fine Darren Cave. I like to see that in

those situations. He is not panicking and confident of his

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

second. It is intercepted, turnover breakout by Fiji. You can sense

that the Thomond Park crowd of sympathising. There was a

collective groan when Fiji not it on. A very sporting crowd. And then

the applause for the Fijian side. Just having to make an injury

Koniferedi. John Muldoon is having a great night, he has really made

have expected for this young Irish side. Combinations put together for

the first time over Roth. And like the look of Darren Cave, Luke

Marshall and Craig Gilroy in Declan Kidney's selection. Why not

put in combinations and in particular the combination of a

pretty much Ulster back line, up with the likes of Denis Hurley and

Conor Murray, and it is working well so far? Dan Tuohy in the scrum

to the front row. Fergus McFadden, the Irish left Wing, is not on the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

far touchline, he is already in the started off by Fergus McFadden's

break and being carried on again by Luke Marshall and Darren Cave. Sean

Cronin has probably been the most prominent forward in the loose, and

a couple of good brakes by Iain has been all Ireland. Fiji, living

on scraps. It is cold and wet in the lead. It has not been that

physical for them. Here come Ireland again. Jackson, ducking

under the tackle from there to there -- Ratuva. Marshall, ever

threatening in midfield. Ireland are penalised. Luke Marshall

penalised for going to ground and putting the ball between his legs

22 white? 22, Whyte? It is a penalty against you. Taken out of

plea of the ball, a penalty reversed. -- out supply -- out of

want to do. Interesting decision from Jamie Heaslip. I did not see

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

He missed with his fifth. And his into a little bit of confusion.

Fiji sort it out well with the forwards. The ball's out, play on.

That will be the end of the first half, Ireland trotting off happily,

heading for that cup of tea, there is Craig Gilroy, try-scorer,

Ireland very happy with the first half performance, 29-0, Fiji, not

really in the game yet. That was good performances from Marshall and

from Cave. Set up for a very good Plenty for Declan Kidney and

Ireland to be happy with in that first half. 25 years old, you

suspect Craig Gilroy has got a big future. As has that man, Paddy

Jackson. Then, Mick Faxon went over. Sean Cronin carried on with the try

scoring always that Ireland found themselves in. Some of the Fijian

defence, questionable. The half- time scoreline, Ireland 29, Fiji's

Let's get the thoughts of Gerard Flannery, the former Ireland to go.

I think you can see safely that Ireland are going to win this game

because of this young Ulster trio. Do you think you have seen it

future internationals emerging? has been an overwhelmingly positive

first half. You have to take into consideration the level of

opposition but these lads have stood out, Gilroy, Jackson and Cave.

Have they Devine Declan Kidney selection headache for next week?

Looking back to how we played against Fiji in 2009 and it was

Jonathan Sexton's first cap, then he started the following week

against South Africa, so the lads that other are wrongly getting

their first game at now. I would not rule it out from Declan Kidney.

He has done this kind of thing Let's have a look at the statistics.

400 metres made by Allan, almost dribble Fiji's -- by Ireland,

almost treble Fiji's. It has worked out and those players given their

chance have taken it. For the first time in a long time we have seen

Ireland running on to the ball. You can only play what you have in

front of you and I think they have played with discipline and

composure. Some mistakes, it is a bit of a wet evening, but they have

been attacking that space which we have not seen for a while, and some

of the young guns have done incredibly well. It is like a

striker, goal hanging in football, you just the time the ball and he

knocks it in from three yards, but it has been very controlled from

Luke Marshall, and from Jackson. It has been put on a plate for well

might. We have seen some of fight from the Fijians, but not much

control, but a big tip for the Irish 15. Some great work from Luke

pretty much equal there, Josh Matavesi looking in when he should

be looking out at Luke Marshall. Does he going, or does he go out to

Craig Gilroy? He takes his time to decide. Then, a very accurate pass,

and Craig will Roy is in. That is a very well worked and executed try.

The passing is slick, but if you look at the Fijian defence they one

of, and stop. You cannot stop. They needed to push out but they didn't.

But, some very slick passing. You can see the rain pouring down on

the screen. He gives it at exactly the right time. We saw that from

Gilroy at last year. He knows where the line is. We have seen too many

opportunities like that, not just at international level but at

provincial, club level, you do not see this finishes made, three on

two, four on two, it does not happen, they catch and draw the

defence and let it go, but the young guy was quicker. They are

unencumbered by the weight of experience. I think Henderson has

carried incredibly well. He is not fluster. There is no panic. He is

20 years of age. He knows exactly what he wants to do. Sometimes

these guys try to do too much but he is just doing his job. He is

protecting the ball. And if you can do that you are not doing anything

wrong, you're going to get carrys and yardage. This was the first one

that he banged over from the touchline. He kicked really well.

You would expect Jackson to do it because in Pro12 he is 75%. He is

quality. Some great work from Gilroy as well. Yes, I think he has

actually been very exciting. He has had a huge comfort from having his

Ulster team-mates around him. He knows he's going to get the ball

where he likes it. When you see the scoreline of 0 at half-time you

wonder but what the opposition have been putting out. And some of it

has been suspect. Nicely tidied up in the centre of the fjord, but the

set-up is so slow. They adding space for Ireland to run on to the

ball. That will give them the opportunity to score. You cannot

give them that space. It you're pushing out, you have to use the

touch line. Mick fatten scoring those tries, he does not seem to

get the run in his favourite position, which is centre. We have

a great view of the work ethic of some of the players here, Sean

Cronin. Taking on three Fijian defenders. He is kind of meandering

off aura into the corner. They need to close down the space. He gets

the chance, gets the ball and burrows over for the try. It is

about composure. Nice and comfortable. Good control. There is

nothing worse than knocking it on in that context, then you get the

look from your team-mates, that you have not done very well. The

mistake count has not been that bad for the Irish. Plus, the conditions

have not been great. Marshal's partner at centre in Ulster has

also managed to get over the line. They are watching the Fijian, Leon

Nakarawa there, he is guilty of ball-watching. You have got to feel

sorry for these guys, because they have been not get together very

much. Great little show and go. These guys are going to be feeling

good at half time, it is unusual for Declan Kidney, they are on a

roll and playing well and they will just say, more of the same. Last

week, we were pointing out how well some of them madly. So, he looked a

little bit jokingly peeved at that, but, are you worried that you are a

current Irish international thinking, there is some talent out

there, they might go when to push for my position. I do not think

that Rob Carney takes his position for granted. You have to take into

account the opposition they are playing, but the truth is, you want

someone who comes out here and there's a chance, to do well within

the team context. If he does it properly, you know that he is going

to be good enough for the future, he's going to have a chance in the

future. They can only do what they are doing. They need to put the

pressure on to those guys, but then the pressure goes back on to Declan

Kidney. We can have another look at some of the other rugby that has

been played this weekend. Scotland face South Africa this afternoon.

South Africa fresh from victory over Ireland last week at the Aviva

Stadium managed to rack up a 21-10 victory. It raised Strauss going

over the line twice for the Springboks. The second half

performance from Scotland, arguably stronger. This is the second try

for Strauss. That is a good poacher's try! South Africa were

just cruising. Good technique there, from the Glasgow scrum-half. We

discussed Nicola Matawalu, who plays on the wing for Glasgow. That

is a disappointing five in a row du Preez for Wales. Warren Gatland has

time to survey the talent for next summer's Lions tour. An easy

victory for New Zealand against Italy. And many of their stars

rested. France play Argentina at 8 the ire be rankings and how it is

known to affect Ireland, but that defeat for Wales could be costly.

There is a level of confusion over what happens. For Ireland, it

ultimately comes down to them having to beat Argentina. To ensure

their top 8 seeding. The England game against still year, there will

be highlights on BBC Three at 7pm. Some changes expected for the

second half? There are going to have to be changes. Ireland need to

be making certain that we are Paul Marshall coming on. There is some

spark about that man. Back to us to start laughing too soon --

Ireland will have to be careful. This is not an international six

chip, but it would have stopped the rot. Ireland will want to maintain

the focus and the discipline. They will need to maintain the

commitment. Fiji are strong in the tackle. I am sure there were some

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

sharp words in the Fijian dressing momentum out of that attacks. A

scrum to Ireland. Let's see if there have been a few conversations

around the Irish scrum and whether first half performance. A lot of

emphasis on the hit. When Ireland get a good hit, this seemed to be

able to follow through with a Radidi is in the centre. Craig

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

Gilroy has gone into midfield. will be his second. Jamie Heaslip

made it. It looks like Leighton Hodges is going to check this. I

can't see any doubt to be honest. Any reason why I cannot award the

try? I could not see anything there. It is about the ground in more than

You make a walked the try. Gareth Simmons confirms that the try is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

it his shoulder? -- John Muldoon is was going to be held up but he

squirmed his way out of it. Ireland keep the scoreboard moving. John

Muldoon, the openside flanker, looks to be heading off. Since it

is on a stretcher, it is not good news. It looks like a leg injury

after all. I can't see who is prepared to come on. Chris Henry

was tackled, it was pushed back into John Muldoon's leg. Hopefully

it is not a break. Inoke Male, the Fijian coach, looking on sadly.

your leg is planted, starts in the ground -- studs. Twang goes the

to be in. You can almost see what is going on in his mind. What will

this do to my season? When a game has lost its intensity and the

concentration can go a little bit. You often find there are more

injuries in these situations and when it is full-blown. That's right.

Awkward situations like that, you do things that are unfamiliar to

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

you. Let's hope that is not too particular. You could see everybody

knew what to do. Good work by the Irish second rows. O'Callaghan has

made himself a specialist in that. First scrum for Ireland in the

scrum and they want to repeat that and get the upper hand quickly.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

card against white 23. dangerous tackle. Off for 10

that at the moment. He maintained his hold on Conor Murray. He did

not let him go. I think he was a little bit unlucky to be quite

frank. It looked worse than he was. You have to bring them down gently.

If you hang on, you have to lower them gently. What was an impossible

task becomes, well, it can't get worse than impossible for his dog

David Kilcoyne gives way to Cian release the Marshall but he is

disappointed with that, that he could not hold that. That is the

problem now. To keep their levels of concentration Dublin. It is

getting to the stage where you are starting to think about scoring

more tries and that can cause a bit of complacency and lack of focus.

One of the good things is, but with so much young blood on this side,

everybody is keen to make an impression, and that in itself can

be enough motivation to keep the commitment. This is an investment

in your future career. It may not happen next week against Argentina,

that is a big one for Ireland. That is all about ranking places and the

top eight and all sorts. This is the game against South Africa last

Fiji cannot get their hands on the ball and when they do, they cannot

keyboard or that. -- keep hold of it. We have a new Hooker on 4th

Fiji, Tuapati Talemaitoga. He doesn't make the trip from where he

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

is playing to go on tour with Fiji best. A couple of success of

mistakes from Lord Marshall. Ireland are trying to produce quick

ball from Ambrose rucks. Conor Murray is trying to get it away

quick. This is when the game should start to open up, and Ireland need

to mind there are recant. -- their holding up the Fijian player, and

again it works in their favour, the old Irish grab and hold, it has

worked very well for them tonight. Donncha O'Callaghan has made that a

speciality of his. All those hours in the gym, that conditioning and

upper-body strength, that is why he has been able to do that, plus his

wily old head. Adding to his 89 caps. That was a milestone that he

will want to it, 90. -- to hit. He will want to be involved in the Six

is Michael bent, and he made a big impression in two or three scrums

against South Africa. Everybody wants to see what is then that. He

will not make his reputation tonight, but certainly, some being

time would be good. -- game time. Ireland give away the penalty. The

trouble for Fiji, the line-out has not done that well, so if they were

down towards the corner for the throw... They could improve their

line-out by going short, and making it less complicated. In quick and

short, as Michael bent comes off the bench. Mike Ross goes off her.

-- Michael Bent. Ross and Bent should feature against Argentina.

got into such a good position so quickly, staying on his feet, over

the ball. Minutes -- Nemani Nagusa, not able to supply possession from

the ruck. Fiji still down to 14 men, and Ireland not making any

impression against 14-man Fiji. Can - Bent immediately involved. Again,

Ireland penalised at the break. It Ireland. They are need to going to

support the ball carrier the way they did in the first half, quicker

and more dynamically. They need to be quicker moving away from the

ball on those defensive rucks, because Fiji are getting a little

bit of momentum here, and it has stopped Alan's momentum. --

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

Jamie Heaslip and Deacon Manu. need to get disciplined when they

are in my position otherwise, you know what is going to happen.

original penalty stance. There is Deacon Manu, having a word with his

players. Ireland a little bit lazy, need to be a little bit sharper.

Fiji have this five-metre line-out. Matawalu is out of the sin-bin. He

little knock-on. And that is the story of the night for Fiji.

Accidental offside. I thought we were going to see a Fijian try from

a rolling maul, but a turnover of possession again. They want to put

a bit of pressure on the Irish and see if they can keep them in this

eager to get a good step here. little too eager, Ireland. They

have got to use it as a good rehearsal of defensive positions.

Donncha O'Callaghan has to get himself out of there. Comes to

Ralulu. Tight and controlled. The sprint by the tackler and runner,

Conor Murray. Fiji, inches short. They will have to be careful. They

cannot go over the top. They will have to use it within five seconds

and they do. Good tackling in defence by Ireland, keeping it

tight. Matawalu goes begging. Ireland go tackling. Matawalu tries

to go-it-alone and it is ripped out of his grasp by Ian Henderson, and

Ireland win themselves a penalty and there will be a big pack on the

back for their number six. That is what you want to see from the

number six, imposing himself, winning turnovers like that. That

was a very assured play by a young man, getting Ireland out of trouble.

The highlights from Twickenham tonight on BBC Three. Ireland

against Argentina, should be a cracker. Ireland with some

confidence in their step, Argentina making some statements in Europe.

And Wales versus New Zealand. Wales, reeling from two defeats, New

Zealand marched on, the best in the world. What will happen in Cardiff?

A change happening, and on comes correct on all of these points but

at some stage he ought to just let the last quarter go a bit, do you

that, he could have let that go on a bit. I suppose it is so obvious

he thought, I have got to blow for that one. Sean Cronin and Conor

Murray are going off. So is Denis is a very dynamic scrum-half. If

anything can lift the tempo of Ireland's game, Peter Marshall can.

Paul Marshall. Sorry. And Simon Zebo comes on. He had a good game

Ireland have been on the back foot for a bit. It is such a week Fijian

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

was referring to the warning that he gave Jamie Heaslip. Chris Henry

has paid the price. Ireland down to bit. There is no need to be

stepping in and slapping people's heads because that was nothing to

do with Josh Matavesi. I think the referee needs to do something about

that. It is the second time that has happened at least. It has got

nothing to do with Josh Matavesi because he is not playing! It is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

not so much that, it is this... referee might want to just calm it

foul play. It is now unacceptable. Yellow card. Tuapati Talemaitoga -

off. That is the way to call micro things down. It was late on Craig

Gilroy, and with intent. You could not say he was committed to the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

tackle at all. It was premeditated matter one bit, but it doesn't work

for him. -- Nicola Matawalu. game has completely lost its

structure. Both sides are down to 14. Neither side can keep hold of

There is an Irishman as well. of privacy. I don't think it is a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

A warning has gone out. There is a suspicion that that "bag-snatching"

was absolutely clinical. -- a fine that night for Craig Gilroy!

came on and made an immediate impression. He made it look a lot

easier than it was. It is effectively a scratch three-quarter

line. Strait of the training ground but he had done his homework. Denis

Hurley will have been practising that all week. He timed it

perfectly. Nice little touch from Jamie Heaslip at the back of the

scrum. As you said, a well rehearsed training-ground move

there is one test for Ireland in the remaining 11 minutes, is to

keep it at zero, that will keep points, maybe beyond, it is well

within their reach. Another change for Fiji. On comes Somoca. Away

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

comes Jamie Heaslip, he has had a Line will be tested in these last

running! It is a question of pace! Craig Gilroy escapes the last

tackle! And the Ulsterman finishes with a hat trick! He has shown he

has got the pace over the first five yards, and he has shown he has

got the long-distance pace as well, and the strength in those tackles.

I think everybody here tonight knows, that he has probably put up

his hand the highest to Declan Kidney. He has finished superbly.

That was a great distribution by Darren Cave schools stop look at

Fijian back line but Craig Gilroy has been able to match it and

the international record books. Paddy Jackson adds another. Two

targets for Ireland, one, to keep the score at 0, and the other, to

reach the half-century. At the final moments they are turning the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

is still bouncing! Fergus McFadden the strength to ride the challenges.

That has gone loose, Fiji in interested in three points, even if

it means they are off the mark. don't think so. No reason why they

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

back row with Ian Henderson at open side, Chris Henry at number eight,

and McCarthy added Blindside - interesting combination. -- at

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 171 seconds

and had to scamper back. It is intercepted by a Zebo for Ireland.

Look Marshall, to Darren Cave, to Fergus McFadden. Still, McFadden.

The ball comes to marshal. -- to be a try for Luke Marshall.

Ireland finished in style by crossing the half-century mark.

That is a fairly complete performance by Luke Marshall,

showing his ball skill and his awareness of space. It was a great

carry by him. Gorgeous little dummy, brushes the tackle side, draws the

man. Then puts his Ulster team-mate look marshal in for a well deserved

a try. -- Luke Marshall. He has read it well, Ian Henderson. That

is a well-taken try. It makes up for a little bit of a lack of

momentum and structure in the second half. The scored board not

where you would expect it to have been, after what happened in the

first half. This is going to be the last kick of the game, Paddy

Jackson. Ireland a scored eight tries. They are over the 50. Mark.

It has been a satisfactory night all round. Paddy Jackson ins it on

an unsatisfactory note, the whistle goes. But it has been Ireland and

nothing but Ireland. They lost 5 in succession and a back on the

winning trail in annoy in Test match but the rot has been stopped

and they can look forward to the huge challenge of Argentina in a

weak's time. But here in Thomond Park, Limerick, it has been a happy

night for the Irish, winning 53-0. Luke Marshall with a man of the

match performance. Him and his Ulster team is, in particular had a

good first half, and all in all, I think Declan Kidney will be very

But the 3-0, plenty of players blooded, not a full cap, but a

great experience. It will be interesting to see how many of

those players get to play Test rugby in the near future. They

pressure is now on Declan Kidney. Three of the Ulster players,

Henderson, Gilroy, and Darren Cave, a fantastic. You have to take into

account the opposition. But I would like to see Darren Cave in at No.

12. And I think that it strengthens the away side. Three players, you

reckon could go in? They showed enough that that is enough making a

step, because they showed that spark that we did not see elastic.

Darcy has been Alan's best tackler in the midfield, that would give

you two quick guys in the midfield. Because he's only 20 years old he

would be better brought on, because Ireland have great strength in debt

and the back row, Jackson I would like to see off on the bench

instead of O'Gara, because he is the future, and Jackson needs to be

blooded. We can hear from skipper, Jamie Heaslip. When you have lost a

couple on the bounce, how good is it for the side just to get a win

again? Although we have had a three great week's training as a group,

we have nothing to show for it, and today, lots of the young players

played out of their skin and took the opportunity. I am happy to get

a victory. Hat-trick for Craig Gilroy. Some of these youngsters

have stake their claim. Yes, I think everyone was great. You can

play your game within a our game and everybody bought into that,

bought into the Jersey, and what it meant to everybody. It has been a

busy weekend of international rugby. We can bring your right up to speed.

Wales suffered a shock defeat to England against Australia is on BBC

the right now, the highlights. Declan Kidney will take a punt, and

include a couple of these players next week? I don't know. I would.

That is where the pressure comes on. He has given them the chance and

they have taken the jazz. That increases the pressure even more.

The press will be clamouring for it. It is the front been in the

Provincial Jersey to being in an Ireland Jersey, but they still did

their job. Everett, and composure, that we have not seen for a while.

The key is not like Declan Kidney to go with players who are

experienced, he generally sticks to what he knows. But these young

players deserve their chance and should be picked in. It is as

intense playing Heineken Cup final as it is, playing an international.

Otherwise, today is something of a waste, if you do not take the

talent that is on show, you have wasted that chance we stop but

considering the opposition, Fiji? They did not seem very composed as

a team, the defence was all over the place, there handling skills

were poor. Keith Wood had lunch with Bill Clinton he said, don't