Ireland vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from autumn international as Ireland cruise to win

Ireland host Fiji this afternoon having showcased why they are the number one side in the world with well-fought win over world champions South Africa last weekend. They beat the Springboks 19-16 in a close encounter that saw the sides tied 6-6 at half-time.

Ireland then took the lead with tries from Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen in the second half before the Springboks responded through Franco Mostert and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Yet, Johnny Sexton’s third successful penalty kick secured a hard-fought victory for Ireland.

Andy Farrell has been forced to make wholesale changes to his team ahead of the visit of Fiji, with a further Test against Australia to come next weekend. The Ireland head coach has called on those coming into his side to make the most of the opportunity, with the World Cup now less than 12 months away.

Fiji, meanwhile, were beaten 28-12 by Scotland at Murrayfield and face a tough ask against the world’s top sides, even though Ireland have been forced into those changes. Fiji head coach Fern Cotter has talked down the prospect shocking the hosts, suggesting the game is a learning exercise opposed to a genuine contest.

Follow the action as Ireland take on Fiji in Dublin:

Ireland vs Fiji

• FULL-TIME! Ireland 35-17 Fiji

• Ireland score five tries in convincing victory in Dublin

• 75’ - TRY! Healy barrels over for a fifth Ireland try (IRE 35-17 FIJ)

• 64’ - TRY! Kuruvoli runs in after gorgeous offload (IRE 28-17 FIJ)

• 61’ - TRY! Hansen slides over in the corner (IRE 28-10 FIJ)

• 46’ - RED CARD! Tuisue sent off for a dangerous high tackle on Carbery (IRE 21-10 FIJ)

• 25’ - TRY! Baloucoune dots down in the corner after floated Gibson-Park pass (IRE 21-10 FIJ)

• 21’ - TRY! Timoney goes over for his second try (IRE 14-7 FIJ)

• 15’ - TRY! Timoney burrows over from close range (IRE7-7 FIJ)

• 4’ - TRY! Ravouvou finishes off stunning team score as Fiji lead (IRE 0-7 FIJ)

F/T: IRELAND 35-17 FIJI

15:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Reasonably scratchy from Ireland, but another win for the top ranked side in the world. The wounded Wallabies are up next at the Aviva next weekend.

We’ll have plenty more reaction to Ireland’s win across the rest of the weekend, but kick off is very, very near at Twickenham, so let’s switch our focus to England vs Japan.

FULL TIME! IRELAND 35-17 FIJI!

14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 80 minutes

14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Or not! Free kick at the scrum to Ireland and they may be content to take us to a close.

Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 79 minutes

14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji make their tackles and drive through a ruck, allowing them a chance to add another late score. Ireland’s counter-ruck is illegal; Simione Kuruvoli taps and goes.

Nearly away! Waisea Nayacalevu brushes off makeshift wing Jamison Gibson-Park but can’t quite find a supporting player with his inside pass. Irish hands knock the ball on - this will be the last chance for Fiji.

Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 78 minutes

14:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yes, Gibson-Park is on to the left wing as the Irish forwards win a penalty, Tadhg Beirne’s jackal again proving profitable.

Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 77 minutes

14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mack Hansen sends a kick out on the full as two-try Nick Timoney is named Player of the Match - there haven’t been too many in Irish green to really give Andy Farrell a selection headache, but the flanker has been among the standouts.

Jimmy O’Brien departs for a head injury assessment. Jamison Gibson-Park returns, which will mean some major reshaping for Ireland. The starting scrum-half has gone on to the wing, I think.

TRY! IRELAND 35-17 Fiji (Cian Healy, 75 minutes)

14:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cap number 120 and international try number nine for Cian Healy!

The veteran prop provides the final punchy plough forward after a series of strong close-in carries from the Irish forwards.

Jack Crowley puts over the additional two points.

Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 73 minutes

14:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dan Sheehan is on as Ireland launch another offensive deep in the Fijian half. The replacement hooker is dragged back to the five-metre line but the possession is quick for Ireland.

Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 71 minutes

14:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ben Donaldson, on debut, to win it for Australia...it’s away to the right! ITALY BEAT AUSTRALIA! Good heavens - what a win and what a year for Kieran Crowley’s side, who really are a team of genuine promise.

Events in Dublin rather less dramatic, as evidenced by an idle crowd producing a Mexican wave as Fiji prepare to feed a scrum.

Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 68 minutes

14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Barring something unforeseen, they will win this game but it hasn’t quite clicked for Ireland today. Another forward pass ends the latest promising movement, this time up the right.

Meanwhile, in Florence, Australia have scored with the clock in the red. The conversion would break Italian hearts...

Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 66 minutes

14:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji are back to 14 players, by the way, with Api Ratuniyarawa once more amongst things in the second row.

A vibrant Irish attack threatens to cut Fiji open but the last pass to Mack Hansen is forward and low.

TRY! Ireland 28-17 FIJI (Simione Kuruvoli try, 64 minutes)

14:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That is sensational from Fiji!

There appears little on as Setareki Tuicuvu faces up to the Irish defensive line just inside his own half. The full back shimmies in search of a sliver of space, producing an audacious offload off the deck to Jiuta Wainiqolo.

Wainiqolo is irresistable in the open field, using fast feet and stiff fends to pinball up field. His offload is equally dextrous, granting Simione Kuruvoli a canter beneath the posts.

TRY! IRELAND 28-10 Fiji (Mack Hansen try, 61 minutes)

14:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A fourth Ireland try at last!

Fiji’s scrum rather crumble against the full might of eight Irish forwards, the ball popping free as Setareki Tuicivu (employed as an emergency flanker) tries to keep control at the side of the set-piece.

The blindside is under-resourced, and Mack Hansen strolls in after Craig Casey’s pass. Jack Crowley converts impressively.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 59 minutes

14:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Towards the halfway point of this second half the clock ticks with the two tallies still unchanged after the interval. Can Ireland make something of their latest lineout in the Fijian 22?

Nope! Viliame Mata is the destroyer-in-chief of the maul, flopping merrily on the ball as Ireland bring it to ground.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 59 minutes

14:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More like it from Ireland, the crowd rising as their side begin to threaten with ball in hand. Robert Baloucoune weaves and wounds a couple of would-be tacklers with shimmying hips, and then Mack Hansen nearly finds Jimmy O’Brien with a crossfield kick.

Tadhg Beirne has been taken off the ball in an earlier phase; penalty to Ireland on halfway.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 57 minutes

14:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji’s lineout throw is off-kilter - Ireland scrum.

Italy, by the way, lead by ten against Australia under the Tuscan sun after another Ange Capuozzo score with 15 minutes to go.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 56 minutes

14:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A scrum is far from ideal for Fiji, too, who have only six men with which to power their push. Their forwards do rather well, holding parity even without their flankers, and forcing a sliced kick from Ireland.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 55 minutes

14:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This time Cian Prendergast is rewarded! The great shock of hair on the Connacht forward’s head makes him easy to spot in the depths of the Fijian maul, the ball coming to floor with Prendergast’s long limbs wrapped securely around it. Turnover, Ireland ball.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 53 minutes

14:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A second penalty in two minutes against Ireland and suddenly it is Fiji inside the opposition 22. Cian Prendergast’s contest for the ball was legal; the tackler on the floor allowing him access was not.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 52 minutes

14:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’ll draw a frustrated shake of the head from Andy Farrell. Ireland put the pressure on too soon at the scrum, giving away a free kick, and after Fiji boldly tap quickly, Ireland infringe.

YELLOW CARD! Api Ratuniyarawa is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 51 minutes

14:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A third card of the day for Fiji - Api Ratuniyarawa hits the deck, precipitating the collapse of the latest Irish lineout drive. Fiji will play the next ten minutes with 13 men.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 50 minutes

14:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland win a jackal penalty in midfield, and it’s time for more changes: Cian Prendergast is on for his Ireland debut, replacing Kieran Treadwell; Tom O’Toole replaces Tadhg Furlong; Craig Casey swaps in for Jamison Gibson-Park.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 49 minutes

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Though that’s another atypically sloppy error from Ireland with the chance to exert pressure - a man at the tail of the lineout is offside as he tries to disrupt Simione Kuruvoli’s pass.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 48 minutes

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A solid enough exit from Fiji. Frank Lomani joins his starting half-back partner Teti Tela on the bench; Simione Kuruvoli and Ben Volavola are now together in the halves.

Fiji thread a clever diagonal grubber through on the left, with Setareki Tuicuvu shepherding into touch with Mack Hansen in close attention.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 47 minutes

14:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But again an inaccuracy costs Ireland in good attacking position. The lineout isn’t straight and Fiji will have the scrum feed.

RED CARD! Albert Tuisue is sent off! Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 46 minutes

14:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s red! Shoulder to head with no clear wrap, and no mitigation - off goes Albert Tuisue for the remainder.

Joey Carbery leaves to applause from the home crowd, with Munster starlet Jack Crowley on for his Ireland debut at fly-half.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 46 minutes

14:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back to the Aviva Stadium, and TMO Chris Hart will be needed - Joey Carbery stays down after a double hit, with Albert Tuisue’s shoulder looking uncomfortably close to the fly-half’s head.

Late England team news

14:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Action from Twickenham follows events in Dublin, and England have been forced into a late change: Jack Nowell has been ruled out with an abdominal wall injury, with Joe Cokanasiga called in to the starting side. A blow for Nowell, who England hoped would be fully over the issue for kick off.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 44 minutes

14:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Oh, Fiji! The first extravagant dance of the second half comes up the right touchline, Jiuta Wainiqolo at the heart of it after Frank Lomani’s initial sprint around the corner. Setareki Tuicuvu is in support, but the visitors rather run out of steam thereafter, and Ireland earn a scrum.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 42 minutes

14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kieran Treadwell thunders on to a pass, hitting a lusty line to nearly make a telling cut. But Fiji reform defensively, and Mack Hansen fumbles an inside pass.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 41 minutes

14:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We’ve seen precious little of Jiuta Wainiqolo so far today, which is a shame, but the creative wing makes a metre or two with some jab-stepping after taking the kick off.

Back row colleague Setareki Tuicuvu makes a mess of an Irish kick and hurries a clearance away, making only 15 metres or so. Ireland lineout just outside the Fijian 22 - but the hosts are down to 14 for now with Jimmy O’Brien receiving treatment in the backfield.

Back out there

14:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji are already assembled for the restart as the Irish XV stomp back on to the pitch. Joey Carbery will get the second 40 minutes underway.

Action elsewhere

14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A rather tasty result is brewing in Florence - Italy are good value for a 17-8 half-time lead against Australia.

The angel-faced Ange Capuozzo finished off this beauty of a score.

H/T: Ireland 21-10 Fiji

13:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three tries for Ireland, but you suspect Andy Farrell won’t be entirely happy with that first half performance. The home side have had plenty of ball in the Fijian 22 but have been a little short of accuracy at times, with the visitors improving defensively as the half wore on.

Fiji faded in the second half against Scotland last week - can they produce a better showing after the interval this?

HALF TIME! IRELAND 21-10 FIJI

13:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 40 minutes

13:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji earn a turnover penalty, though, and that’ll do us for the first half.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 39 minutes

13:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji’s lineout is again messy, but Frank Lomani slithers between the forward bodies to ensure his side have some form of ball with which to work.

But not for long! A forthright counter-ruck is triggered by a secure Garry Ringrose tackle behind the gainline, and Ireland have the ball. Toed up the left, Fiji forced out - Ireland again with a lineout to throw deep beyond enemy lines.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 38 minutes

13:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steelier stuff from Fiji. A stern inspection of an Irish carrier’s ribs forces a knock on, and Eroni Mawi then drives through Tadhg Furlong at the scrum.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 36 minutes

13:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There is, in fact, no penalty to come back to, so it will be Fiji’s lineout ball. That’s an efficient exit - long lineout into midfield giving the space for a thumped kick up towards the ten-metre line.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 35 minutes

13:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji shift the Irish drive over towards the touchline, forcing Jamison Gibson-Park into an earlier-than-anticipated extraction. Joey Carbery’s jinking feet ensure Ireland keep dancing inside the 22, with Robert Baloucoune making an impressive burst up the right.

The phases build and build with another advantage for Ireland to work with. Wide to the right - Jack Conan crashes over!...

But he’s got chalk on his boots! The number eight is in touch before grounding, Fiji just squeezing Conan out.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 33 minutes

13:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Herring hits double top, and Ireland maul. Down it goes, with Eroni Mawi picked out and pinged.

Mathieu Raynal calls the prop over for a chat - just a stern warning for now. The hosts will have another go.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 32 minutes

13:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pressure on from Ireland at the scrum but Fiji manage to smuggle the ball back their way. A slow ruck gives Frank Lomani enough space to find touch, but those in front of him advance unneccesarily and are called for offside.

Rob Herring readies the arrows - Ireland with another five-metre lineout.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 30 minutes

13:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This doesn’t augur particularly well for Fiji - penalised again inside their own territory and Ireland fancy a maul.

More like it, though, from the Fijians, back to full complement with Manasa Saulo off the naughty step. They do just enough at the maul and then deal with Mack Hansen as he tries to dart through off his wing.

Hansen then knocks on.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 28 minutes

13:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Frank Lomani loops a pass to his captain, Waisea Nayacalevu running straight and hard to set a nice midfield platform. Viliame Mata carries twice in the movement but an errant pass stalls the momentum, and Ireland feast on some carrion at a ruck. Smart scavenging from Tadhg Beirne, who is so good over the ball - and at, really, everything else.

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 26 minutes

13:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Neither side has defused the restarts well in this first half. Indecision from the Irish catchers leads to a knock on.

That necessitates a Fijian change - Lee-Roy Atalifo is beckoned over from the bench to ensure they have a qualified tighthead with Manasa Saulo in the bin. Albert Tuisue is sacrificed.

TRY! IRELAND 21-10 Fiji (Robert Baloucoune try, 25 minutes)

13:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Ireland win back midfield ball and Robert Baloucoune crosses for their third!

Superb from Caelan Doris and Nick Timoney, combining to erect a road block over which Levani Botia and the ball spill forward. Tadhg Furlong snares out of the air, allowing Ireland to instantly switch into attack mode.

Jimmy O’Brien makes a bust up the right, and a long, wide miss ball from Jamison Gibson-Park gives Baloucoune the simplest of saunters over in the corner. Joey Carbery’s conversion is a good’un.

Ireland 14-10 Fiji, 24 minutes

13:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mack Hansen hares up in pursuit of the restart, getting hands to it but unable to claw it back Ireland’s way.

Ratu Leone Rotuisolia is trudging off having suffered a bang to the head - he’ll have an HIA with Api Ratuniyarawa on for the Fijian lineout.

PENALTY! Ireland 14-10 FIJI (Teti Tela penalty, 23 minutes)

13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A stabilising three points for Fiji, with Teti Tela knocking a simple one through from the tee.

Ireland 14-7 Fiji, 22 minutes

13:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Viliame Mata stomps back towards the Irish chasers as he claims a clearance after the kick off, but Mathieu Raynal’s whistle halts his menacing meander - Ireland are offside and Fiji have a kickable penalty.

TRY! IRELAND 14-7 Fiji (Nick Timoney try, 21 minutes)

13:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And there is a certain score!

The lineout is smooth, the maul set-up secure and the drive inexorably marches to the line. Nick Timoney gets up from the collapsed mass with the ball as Joey Carbery again adds the extras.

No try! Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 20 minutes

13:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yep, the ball has not brushed a blade of grass. Try chalked off.

But Fiji will lose a man. Manasa Saulo is sin binned for the latest of what are becoming rather too regular infringements.

TRY? Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 20 minutes

13:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Support act for the first, scorer of the second - Kieran Treadwell goes over!

Or does he? Fiji are furious and don’t think the lock has got it down. Upstairs for a look...

Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 19 minutes

13:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mathieu Raynal’s arm is out - another penalty coming for Ireland if they fail to make the most of the advantage...

Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 18 minutes

13:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji’s fringe defence is firm; their efforts to stall the maul rather less so. Another penalty to the hosts and into the corner Ireland go.

Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 17 minutes

13:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And that’s not an ideal way to respond from Fiji, granting Ireland more easy progress into their half with the concession of another penalty.

TRY! IRELAND 7-7 Fiji (Nick Timoney try, 15 minutes)

13:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And over crashes Nick Timoney!

Fiji twice get over the ball and appeal for a holding on call, but Mathieu Raynal keeps his whistle in his pocket, and the visitors struggle to slow Irish ball thereafter. Timoney gets a handy helping shunt from Kieran Treadwell and burrows over underneath the posts.

Joey Carbery’s conversion levels things up.

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 14 minutes

13:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here come Ireland’s largest men, first Kieran Treadwell and then Tadhg Beirne making burly dents. Pressure building...

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 13 minutes

13:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland need a bit of stability; Fiji’s efforts to deny them it at the lineout is penalised. Into the 22 go the hosts.

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 12 minutes

13:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Turnover for Fiji and off they go again! A remarkable offload from Setareki Tuicuvu puts Vinaya Habosi into more open acreage, with the Irish backfield doing well to bring the powerful wing down. Irish bodies get back in enough numbers to earn a holding on penalty, but they look vulnerable to the Fijian wide threat.

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 11 minutes

13:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji work something funky this time, Sam Matavesi fizzing his throw over the top where the catcher works a scissors with Kalaveti Ravouvou. The centre looks to punch through Rob Herring but can’t take cleanly.

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 10 minutes

13:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scrappy enough couple of minutes, this - Ireland disrupt the lineout and snare the loose ball, but Tadhg Beirne is hauled over the touchline.

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 9 minutes

13:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Botia carries firmly around the corner from the back of the next Fijian lineout, and Ireland have again infringed. Sloppy stuff from Andy Farrell’s side as Fiji march up the right touchline through Teti Tela’s kick.

Botia is down for treatment on an injury but Mathieu Raynal asks Fiji to play - and the lineout goes awry.

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 8 minutes

13:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

...But Matavesi hits his man at the tail, and Fiji’s exit will be made easy by an offside Irishman. Penalty to the visitors.

There might have been a penalty anyway for Nick Timoney’s tackle on Levani Botia - a questionable use of arms from the Ireland flanker as he tries to chop his opposite number low, and he is duly warned by Mathieu Raynal.

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 7 minutes

13:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A very solid defensive set from Fiji, keeping men in the line and tackling firmly to prevent Ireland winning collisions. Waisea Nayacalevu holds Joey Carbery as the fly-half tries to jink.

Eventually, Ireland stab through a little grubber that trundles out five out from the Fijian line. Pressure throw for Sam Matavesi...

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 6 minutes

13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More worries for Ireland - Robbie Henshaw is off already, with Garry Ringrose on at 13. Far from ideal for the hosts, with the atmosphere rather punctured in Dublin.

A kick that goes out on the full from Fiji should give Ireland a chance to build. They’ll throw the lineout just outside the Fijian 22.

TRY! Ireland 0-7 FIJI (Kalaveti Ravouvou try, 4 minutes)

13:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But not for long! That’s a stunning try!

First meaningful possession for Fiji and they strike quite superbly. Ireland are too narrow defensively, with speedy transfers granting Vinaya Habosi an alleyway up which to charge on the left. Habosi fends away a covering Jamison Gibson-Park and ships the ball infield to Waisea Nayacalevu, who draws the final defender and puts his centre partner Kalaveti Ravouvou in.

The conversion goes over, too. Excellent start for Fiji.

Missed penalty! Ireland 0-0 Fiji, 3 minutes

13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Not how Teti Tela would have liked to begin from the tee - tugged to the left from 40 metres out. Scoreless it remains.

Ireland 0-0 Fiji, 2 minutes

13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Ireland come a-cropper soon after, a midfield carrier isolated and Fiji swiftly over the top. Sharp work from Eroni Mawi with Nick Timoney unable to shift the loosehead in the clearout.

Fiji will go for goal.

Ireland 0-0 Fiji, 1 minute

13:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adventure from Ireland early on, Robbie Henshaw carrying in a wide channel from inside his own 22. That’s jaunty, too, Joey Carbery lifting a cross-kick for Mack Hansen to claim impressively above his head, Ireland up to the ten-metre line.

KICK OFF!

13:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Teti Tela drops ball to floor and brings his right boot through it - we are underway in Dublin!

Cibi

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland face up to the Fijian pre-match challenge.

Right, kick-off imminent - will Ireland make it two wins from two?

Anthems

12:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji produces a typically emotional version of “Meda Dau Doka“, some eyes shut, foreheads to the heavens.

Ireland’s two anthems get the crowd going, the Aviva not perhaps in the voice it was for the visit of South Africa last week, but certainly up for the challenge. Captain Tadhg Furlong roars out the final notes at the end of the Irish line.

Ireland vs Fiji

12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Michael D Higgins is out on the Aviva Stadium turf, glad-handing with the two sides and match officials. Mathieu Raynal, he of the controversial call at the end of the Australia-New Zealand game during the summer, takes the whistle today after a late switch of referee having originally not been due to oversee a major fixture during this autumn.

But Jaco Peyper’s injury has opened the door; Chris Hart will assist from the TMO chair where required.

Ireland vs Fiji

12:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, this could be fascinating. Can this changed Ireland team show the same sort of cohesion that usually defines Andy Farrell’s side?

Vern Cotter stirs the pot

12:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Some wonderful pot stirring from Vern Cotter this week, with the Fiji coach claiming that Ireland would be using this game simply as a “training session” and were “barely looking at” Fiji with attention already on next week’s encounter against Australia.

Simon Easterby, Ireland’s defence coach, did not agree with that assessment, dismissing any suggestion that his side had overlooked the challenge facing them this afternoon.

"We’ve certainly invested plenty of time into understanding the threats they’ll pose, the opportunities that might present themselves if we play a certain way," said Easterby yesterday. "Believe me we’ve worked hard on making sure that these guys are prepped in the right way, as they would be for any international."

Captain Tadhg

12:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It will be a proud afternoon for Tadhg Furlong, the tighthead captaining a side at senior level for the first time. Furlong, who celebrates his 30^th birthday on Monday, has overcome an ankle injury to start and admits it is an honour of which he “never dreamed”.

“I never even thought of it,” said the 29-year-old. “You know when you dream as a young fella, you want to play for Ireland, you want to play for Leinster, you want to play for the Lions – I never even dreamed of captaining Ireland.”

Tadhg Furlong ‘never even dreamed’ of being Ireland captain

Team News - Fiji

12:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Vilimoni Botitu drops out through injury, though Teti Tela may have started at fly-half anyway, with Ben Volavola back amongst things on the bench to give Cotter the option of a second specialist ten in the squad. Kini Murimurivalu is another absentee, with Setareki Tuicuvu shifting to full back and Jiuta Wainiqolo, one of many of this squad to have translated their sevens skills successfully to the French Top 14, worth watching on the right wing.

Adrea Cocagi is in line for a debut in the backs from the bench.

“We want to give everybody a try during these three test matches. There is an opportunity for everybody to play and grow,” said head coach Vern Cotter.

“We will have to step up against Ireland. There is three main access we are working on; we want to work on how we carry the ball and clean the ball so have to provide a fastball, we want to improve our defence and we want to be on top of our game in our set piece.

Fiji XV: E Mawi, S Matavesi, M Saulo; I Nasilasila, RL Rotuisolia; A Tuisue, L Botia, V Mata; F Lomani, T Tela; V Habosi, K Ravouvou, Waisea N (capt.), J Wainiqolo; S Tuicuvu.

Replacements: M Dolokoto, L Natave, L-R Atalifo, A Ratuniyarawa, J Dyer; S Kuruvoli, B Volavola, A Cocagi.

Team News - Ireland

12:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

As expected, Andy Farrell does make a number of changes to the Ireland side that survived South Africa last weekend – though not, perhaps, as many as some predicted. Farrell said this week that a few of his fringe squad members had cost themselves an appearance by failing to impress for Ireland A against an All Blacks XV last week.

"People don’t just get a Test match when they’re not performing at their best," said the Ireland coach. "There is definitely an element of that."

There are still a handful of new faces, though: loosehead Jeremy Loughman makes his debut opposite captain Tadhg Furlong in the front row, while rangy forward Cian Prendergast and talented Munster playmaker Jack Crowley could do likewise from the bench. Jimmy O’Brien, so impressive on his first cap in the centres last week, begins at full back.

Ireland XV: J Loughman, R Herring, T Furlong (capt.); T Beirne, J Ryan; C Doris, N Timoney, J Conan; J Gibson-Park, J Carbery; M Hansen, S McCloskey, R Henshaw; R Baloucoune; J O’Brien.

Replacements: D Sheehan, C Healy, T O’Toole, C Prendergast, M Deegan, C Casey, J Crowley, G Ringrose.

Ireland vs Fiji

12:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, on to this packed afternoon slate, and Ireland vs Fiji. Fiji showed some very, very good things in the first half against Scotland last week but this is a step up in standard, even if this is a rotated Irish side.

Let’s have a look at those two 23s...

Rugby World Cup final - Sarah Hunter hails ‘special group’ of Red Roses after England heartbreak

12:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England captain Sarah Hunter saluted a “special group” of Red Roses after the heartbreak of World Cup final defeat against New Zealand.

England went down 34-31, having played more than an hour with 14 on the field after Lydia Thompson was sent off in the 18th minute.

Despite facing the tournament hosts in front of a sold-out Eden Park a player down, Hunter was convinced her side, who led for much of the match, would find a way to come out on top.

Sarah Hunter hails ‘special group’ of Red Roses after England final heartbreak

Rugby World Cup final - England fall short as Black Ferns retain crown

12:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just before we get going in Ireland, there has already been one thrilling game of rugby today, with England and New Zealand delivering a World Cup final to remember at Eden Park.

Heartbreak for England as New Zealand blast back to win World Cup

Autumn Nations Series - Ireland vs Fiji

12:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A very good afternoon. It’s the second week proper of the Autumn Nations Series and another long, enticing weekend of international rugby ahead.

The action begins in Dublin, where Fiji are in town hoping to cause a shock against a changed Irish side, with kick off an hour or so away.