Match reaction
Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan was well pleased with his side’s display in this opening game but it was the performance rather than the margin of the victory that satisfied him most.
” I’m happy to get this one behind us. We were a little ring rusty and that showed but we played some excellent rugby and overall I’d be very happy. The lads kept going for the full game, they fronted up and took their chances well. Yes a very good start to the tour.”
Team manager also referred to ring rustiness but was happy that “when the chances presented themselves we took them. We displayed some excellent ball skills and excellent running and although it’s hard to use this as a yardstick for Test rugby, it’s a good start.”
“There were parts of the game that I was disappointed with, we put pressure on ourselves at times and if we did it against a Test side we’d be made pay. But we can work on that. There was ring rustiness as I’ve said. I must say I’m very happy with the attitude of the team and the management. It’s been a good start and we go on from there.”
There was disappointment before kick off for John Kelly and John O’Neill who had originally been included in an extended nine strong replacement bench. Match officials ruled that only seven players could be togged out and therefore Kelly and O’Neill found themselves remaining in their No 1s.