Eire beat Portugal 106-7 in record-breaking 16-try rout | ‘I really feel sorry for Portugal,’ says Paul O’Connell | Rugby Union Information

Eire ran in a record-breaking 16 tries in a one-sided 106-7 rout of Portugal in Lisbon to register their largest Check win within the first encounter between the 2 nations.

Connacht pair Hugh Gavin and Shayne Bolton went over twice on their debuts and there was additionally two every for membership team-mate and flanker Cian Prendergast and Leinster wing Tommy O’Brien.

With fly-half Jack Crowley touchdown 12 of his 15 conversion makes an attempt – Eire have been additionally awarded a penalty strive – the margin of victory eclipsed their earlier largest win after they scored 13 tries in an 83-3 defeat of the USA in 2000.

Eire’s interim head coach Paul O’Connell was with out 17 gamers, who’re all on tour with the British and Irish Lions, however his new-look aspect ruthlessly uncovered the chasm between them and their hosts.

O’Connell made six adjustments following final week’s 34-5 win in opposition to Georgia in Tbilisi and the Irish went over for 4 transformed tries within the opening 14 minutes.

Centre Stuart McCloskey touched down within the nook after full-back Jimmy O’Brien’s break straight from the kick off and fellow centre Gavin stormed over for his first debut strive within the ninth minute.

Tommy O’Brien completed off one other scything break within the nook and reverse wing Bolton sprinted in after breaking clear for a strive on his debut, with Crowley including his fourth conversion.

Portugal full-back Nuno Guedes had a strive disallowed for a ahead go earlier than the hosts have been dealt one other blow when captain Tomas Appleton was carried off on a stretcher resulting from an ankle damage.

Crowley despatched Tommy O’Brien in for his second try to prop Tom Clarkson bulldozed via a drained deal with for Eire’s sixth rating within the thirty third minute.

Bolton out-sprinted Portugal’s defence to the touch down Craig Casey’s kick forward and the latter’s miss go after hooker Gus McCarthy’s break despatched Gavin over for his second rating.

Crowley landed his seventh conversion to place Eire 54-0 forward on the interval.

Scrum-half Casey adopted up Bolton’s break to attain underneath the posts 90 seconds after the restart and Prendergast barged over for an unconverted rating to increase Eire’s result in 66-0 within the 51st minute.

Portugal got some respite when centre Vincent Pinto’s offload arrange flanker Nicolas Martins for a transformed rating however Eire hit straight again.

Replacements Calvin Nash and Cian Frawley touched down quickly after stepping off the bench and Prendergast then notched his second strive.

When debutant flanker Alex Kendellen went over for an additional transformed rating within the 73rd minute, Eire moved 92-7 forward.

Alternative scrum-half Ben Murphy’s strive nudged Eire nearer to triple figures and Portugal’s distress was full after they conceded a penalty strive within the closing play of the sport for bringing down a maul.

What they mentioned

Eire interim head coach Paul O’Connell informed Virgin Sports activities: “I really feel sorry for Portugal, however we have been very scientific and took our possibilities.

“It’s a distinctive summer season tour given the Lions tour is on on the identical time, however I’m very proud of how our squad utilized themselves.

“It’s nice to get some guys capped and scoring tries and coaching in a world atmosphere.”

Eire captain Craig Casey informed Virgin Sports activities: “Our main takeaway from right this moment is our mentality. We have been very skilled and performed our recreation to get the outcome.

“It is a disgrace the stadium wasn’t full, however seeing the quantity of Irish followers right here was particular to get the outcome for them.”