PLAYER of the match Bundee Aki was amongst the tries at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland claimed a comprehensive 35-point triumph over Fiji in their third game of this year’s Autumn Nations Series.

Debutant Gus McCarthy also crossed the whitewash and had a hand in four other scores as Andy Farrell’s men put themselves in a positive frame of mind ahead of next weekend’s final November test against an Australian side that are coached by his predecessor Joe Schmidt.

Sam Prendergast was handed his first Test start after appearing off the bench in last Friday week’s nail-biting win over Argentina.

And his Leinster team-mate Gus McCarthy and Ulster flanker Cormac Izuchukwu were making their Ireland senior bows after being named in the first 15 earlier in the week.

McCarthy left an early impression on this contest as he picked up possession at the back of a maul – after his own line-out delivery had been comfortably gathered – and released Ireland captain Caelan Doris for a breakthrough fifth-minute try.

Prendergast slotted over the resulting conversion in routine fashion, but the Kildare native subsequently found himself in the sin bin moments later for a high tackle on Fiji’s Kitione Salawa.

An off field review determined that the Irish fly-half’s challenge didn’t warrant being upgraded to a red card, but the hosts moved further in front during his temporary absence.

Although they breathed a sigh of relief when Jiuta Wanigolo’s effort to secure a Fiji try was ruled out by TMO Mike Adamson, a ‘tap and go’ from Gus McCarthy on 15 minutes paved the way for Josh van der Flier to cross over for the second time in just three games.

Craig Casey briefly assumed kicking duties from Prendergast and the Munster scrum-half convincingly split the uprights to move Ireland 14 points clear.

A successful Caleb Muntz penalty got Fiji up and running ahead of Prendergast’s return from the bin.

But the visitors were temporarily reduced to 14 players themselves when loosehead prop Eroni Mawi was yellow carded just shy of the first-quarter mark.

Ireland couldn’t add to their total during this 10 minute period, however, and suffered a set-back when Jamie Osborne was withdrawn through injury – the versatile Ciaran Frawley taking his place at full-back in the 28th minute.

Yet the Green Army were determined to end the opening half with a flourish and their third try eventually arrived when Casey touched down in the right-corner on the half-hour.

Prendergast added the bonuses to this score on his return to the tee and after his delicate crossfield kick left Mack Hansen with a simple finish at the end of a stoppage-time attack, he added two more points to propel Ireland towards a 28-3 interval advantage.

Gus McCarthy had also provided the final pass for the try that Casey scored in the opening period and he once again turned provider for Aki’s five-pointer at the end of a prolonged move seven minutes after the resumption.

In the wake of this latest try, Farrell opted to dip extensively into his reserve options with all but one of his replacements having entered the fray by the 51st minute.

However, one of these changes was enforced due to an injury sustained by Jacob Stockdale – who was making his first Ireland appearance since August 2023 – meaning Conor Murray was forced to fill in for the Ulster man on the left-wing.

Fiji had struggled to create any sort of attacking momentum up to this point, but they finally crossed the Irish whitewash on 55 minutes when Salawa powered over for a fine individual try that was supplemented by a Muntz conversion.

FINAL ACTIONS

Even though Ireland reinforced their authority inside the final-quarter when Gus McCarthy registered the try that his performance deserved off a line-out maul move, this was swiftly cancelled out by a breakaway score from Fijian replacement Setareki Turagacoke.

Yet the Stade Francais forward was subsequently sin-binned on 67 minutes and Ireland took immediate advantage of their latest numerical supremacy with a second try from the ever-dangerous Hansen.

It initially looked like this was going to be the final score of the tie – until replacement Ronan Kelleher popped up in the 79th minute for a five-pointer that rounded off an accomplished display from Ireland.

Scorers: Ireland: Tries: M Hansen 2, C Doris, J van der Flier, C Casey, B Aki, G McCarthy, R Kelleher. Cons: S Prendergast 5, C Casey.

Fiji: Tries: K Salawa, S Turagacoke. Con: C Muntz 2. Pen: C Muntz.

Ireland: J Osborne (C Frawley 28); M Hansen, R Henshaw (S McCloskey 48), B Aki (R Kelleher 74), J Stockdale (C Murray 50); S Prendergast, C Casey; A Porter (T O’Toole 48), G McCarthy, F Bealham (T Clarkson 48); J McCarthy, T Beirne; C Izuchukwu (I Henderson 51), J van der Flier (C Prendergast 48), C Doris.

Fiji: V Karawalevu; J Wainiqolo, W Nayacalevu (V Botitu 61), J Tuisova, P Loganimasi (S Maqala 55); C Muntz, F Lomani (P Matawalu 23); E Mawi (H Hetet 51), T Ikanivere (S Matavesi 51), L Tagi (S Tawake h-t); M Vocevoce, T Mayanavanua (S Turagacoke 59); R Meli Derenalagi (A Tuisue 59), K Salawa (H Hetet 23-29), E Canakaivata.

Referee: H Davidson (Scotland).