Rugby World Cup round-up: Bonus-point victories for Italy, Ireland and England
Italy, Ireland and England all claimed bonus-point victories on day three of the Rugby World Cup.
Italy kicked off the day’s action, taking on a stubborn Namibia in Pool B, and it was Namibia who scored the first try of the game through Damian Stevens after just six minutes.
Italy levelled through a penalty try and then Tommaso Allan put the Azzurri ahead in the match for the first time.
With just seconds remaining in the first half Tito Tebaldi went over for Italy’s third try to make the score 21-7 at half time.
It had all started so well for Namibia, but Mattia Bellini and Carlo Canna scored two more for Italy within seven minutes of the restart to put their side firmly in control of the match.
JC Greyling dived over in the corner to pull one back for Namibia and make the score 35-15 with 57 minutes played.
Jake Polledri and Matteo Mino added a couple more for Italy who made the score 47-15 before Chad Plato finished the scoring with Namibia’s third try of the game.
47-22 the final score. Comfortable for Italy, but the part-timers of Namibia will certainly be pleased with their display despite defeat.
Number one side in the world, Ireland were next up, and made light work of Scotland in Pool A.
It was a fast start for Ireland who put the first points on the board after six minutes. James Ryan burrowed over from close range and the try was converted by Johnny Sexton to give Ireland a 7-0 lead.
It got even better for them on 14 minutes. Rory Best going over to make the score 12-0, and then Tadhg Furlong scored Ireland’s third try of the half against a poor Scotland side.
19-3 the half time score.
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With the rain pouring down Scotland had a lot of work to do to get back into the game and they just weren’t able to do it. Ireland scoring their fourth try of the game on 56 minutes through Andrew Conway after two Scottish players competed for the same high ball.
Jack Carty added to the points with a late penalty as Ireland cruised to a 27-3 win to get their campaign underway with a clinical win.
England kicked off their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign in Pool C against an assured looking Tonga.
Eddie Jones’ side took until the 24th minute to break down their opponents with only a penalty each making the score 3-3 prior to that. Tonga had certainly held their own in the match.
Just moments before having a try claimed dismissed by the TMO, England continued to apply heavy pressure on Tonga, and Manu Tuilagi went over for the first of the game.
England had found some momentum now and Johnny May found Tuilagi on the left hand side for his second try of the game. 15-3 the score after captain Owen Farrell’s conversion.
Farrell then scored his second penalty of the game with minutes remaining in the first half to make the score 18-3 at the break.
Jamie George added England’s third try on 56 minutes to put his side firmly in control to make the score 29-3.
And the bonus-point was secured with Luke Cowan-Dickie’s 76th minute try to make the score 35-3, and that’s how it finished.
Tomorrow will see Wales open their Rugby World Cup campaign when they take on Georgia.
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