Ireland vs Russia – Rugby World Cup 2019: Result and reaction from Pool A fixture

Re-live all the action from Kobe

Rugby World Cup match preview: Ireland v Russia

Ireland began to resurrect their Rugby World Cup campaign after their shock loss to Japan with a scrappy 35-0 bonus-point victory on Thursday over a stubborn Russia in Kobe that moved them to the top of Pool A and strengthened their quarter-final chances.

Ireland have 11 points, while unbeaten Japan (nine) face Samoa (five) in Toyota City on Saturday. Scotland also have five points and play Russia next Wednesday in Shizuoka before ending pool play against the tournament hosts in Yokohama on Oct. 13.

Fullback Rob Kearney and loose forwards Peter O'Mahony and Rhys Ruddock scored first half tries for Ireland, but it took until the 62nd minute before wing Andrew Conway crossed for the bonus point that kept them in the hunt for the knockout phase.

The fact Joe Schmidt's side struggled to put away a limited Russia side, who had Bogdan Fedotoko and Andrey Ostrikov yellow carded either side of halftime, would do little for their fans' waning hopes they could reach their first semi-final in Japan. Re-live the action below:

What time is it?

Ireland vs Russia kicks off at 7.15pm Japan Standard Time, which is 11.15am BST, on Thursday 3 October.

Where can I watch it?

ITV1 will be broadcasting the clash. Alternatively, you can live stream the match on your laptop, smartphone or tablet via the ITV Hub.

Key Points

• Ireland: Kearney; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Earls; Sexton (capt), McGrath; Kilcoyne, Scannell, Ryan, Kleyn, Beirne, Ruddock, O’Mahony, Murphy
• Russia: Artemyev; Davydov, Galinovskiy, Golosnitskiy, Simplikevich; Gaisin, Perov; Polivalov, Matveev, Gotovtsev, Garbuzov, Fedotko; Sychev, Gadzhiev, Gresev

[3 October 2019 11:27 · Samuel Lovett]

9 min: Ireland 7-0 Russia

Some promising play here from Russia. After going through the phases, the ball is kicked over the top to the bottom left-hand corner. Rob Kearney darts to cover but seemed to lose the ball in the floodlights. He just about managed to get hold of play but was chopped down in the process of booting clear, his effort sailing out on the five-metre line. Russia line-out.

[3 October 2019 11:28 · Samuel Lovett]

10 min: Ireland 7-0 Russia

A dangerous position... but the Russians fluff their lines, quite literally. The throw is wonky. We move inward for an Irish scrum five metres out from their try line.

[3 October 2019 11:29 · Samuel Lovett]

11 min: Ireland 7-0 Russia

Luke McGrath makes the box-kick but we come back for a penalty, with Russia offside from breakdown. Johnny Sexton thumps clear, finding his side's 10-metre line.

[3 October 2019 11:30 · Samuel Lovett]

TRY! Ireland go over for their second!

[3 October 2019 11:30 · Samuel Lovett]

13 min: Ireland 14-0 Russia (O'Mahony try, Sexton conversion)

It's the captain with the magic touch. Johnny Sexton receives play positioned eight or so metres out in front of the Russian posts and immediately threads through a neat grubber kick. Peter O'Mahony is quickest to react, breaks free of the line and gathers nicely before diving over.

Sexton with the extras.

Kirill Golosnitskiy, who collided with the post in his attempt to hold up O'Mahony, is to be subbed off. Looks like he's in a lot of pain here. Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious.

[3 October 2019 11:36 · Samuel Lovett]

15 min: Ireland 14-0 Russia

Ramil Gaisin restarts and we're back under way. After setting up play among the forwards, Ireland kick clear through the boot of Luke McGrath. But, once again, it's a penalty for the Irish, with the Russians offside. We go forward for another Ireland line-out.

[3 October 2019 11:37 · Samuel Lovett]

17 min: Ireland 14-0 Russia

Johnny Sexton puts his boot to good use again, sending a crossfield kick to the bottom left corner. Keith Earls comes bombing in from the flank, soars upward to meet it... but can't keep his hands on possession. Knock-on. Russia scrum on the five-metre line.

[3 October 2019 11:39 · Samuel Lovett]

19 min: Ireland 14-0 Russia

Russia clear their lines but only as far as the 22 for an Irish throw. It's clean and they go again. Unrelenting from Ireland. 

[3 October 2019 11:41 · Samuel Lovett]

20 min: Ireland 14-0 Russia

Ireland up to within three metres of the Russian line as they go through the phases. Green shirt after green shirt pummels the red line, nudging the Bears back. They finally look to touch down, but the referee's hand goes up. We come back for an Ireland penalty. Johnny Sexton kicks for the 5-metre line.

[3 October 2019 11:43 · Samuel Lovett]

22 min: Ireland 14-0 Russia

Penalty to Russia! They've held on. No try this time for Ireland. After the line-out, Joe Schmidt's men are pulled up by the referee for an infringement at the breakdown. The Bears clear to their own 10-metre line.