INTERNATIONAL RUGBY: Ireland score eight tries as they overpower Canada

Ireland eventually overpowered a stubborn Canada in Dublin on Saturday night running in eight tries in front of a packed Aviva Stadium.

The Canadians did keep them honest however, scoring three tries of their own - at one point levelling the game in the first half at 14-14.

But the final quarter saw Ireland rack up the points and go through the half century mark as they opened their Autumn Guinness Test series.

The All Blacks are in town next week for what is an eagerly anticipated clash following last week’s historic victory in Chicago.

A Keith Earls try after just five minutes gave Ireland the perfect start, with outhalf Paddy Jackson nailing the touchline conversion.

But it was not until the 21st minute that their dominance was to pay dividends again, centre Luke Marshall going over after sone lovely handling and Jackson again converted from far out - this time on the right - to make it 14-0.

But the Canadians hit back with two quick-fire tries. An intercept on 23 minutesfrom DTH van der Merwe was a cheap concession after what had gone before, but five minutes later Taylor Paris crossed. McRorie added both conversions to level the match.

Ireland did go in at the break 21-14 ahead when fullback Tiernan O’Halloran finished off a counter attack and Jackson sent the Irish in ahead with his third kick from three.

Jackson got Ireland moving early with a massive break early in the second half. The pack encamped on the Canadian line and the inevitable penalty try came, Jackson slotting over to make it 28-16 after 45 minutes.

Canada came back and Matt Evans’ try was confirmed on advice from the TMO, McRorie converted and there were seven points between the teams again.

But a late rally from the Irish - who emptied the bench - saw them pull away with tries from Ultan Dillane (59 minutes), Kieran Marmion (66) and O’Halloran (77).

Jackson converted two before being replaced by Joey Carbery, who was unable to land the touchline attempt after O’Halloran’s second crossing.

He was denied by the post with the final act of the match when attempting to convert debutant James Tracy’s 80th minute try.

Ireland: T O’Halloran (Connacht); C Gilroy (Ulster), G Ringrose (Leinster), L Marshall (Ulster), K Earls (Munster); P Jackson (Ulster), K Marmion (Connacht); C Healy (Leinster), S Cronin (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), U Dillane (Connacht), B Holland (Munster), P O’Mahony (Munster, capt), S O’Brien (Leinster), J O’Donoghue (Munster).

Replacements: J Tracy (Leinster), D Kilcoyne (Munster), J Ryan (Munster), D Ryan (Munster), D Leavy (Leinster), L McGrath (Leinster), J Carbery (Leinster), N Adeolokun (Connacht).

Canada: M Evans; DTH Van der Merwe, C Trainor, C Hearn, T Paris; C Braid, G McRorie; D Sears-Duru, R Barkwill, J Ilnicki, B Beukeboom, E Olmstead, K Baillie, L Rumball, A Carpenter (capt).

Replacements: E Howard, R Brouwer, M Tierney, A Cejvanovic, M Heaton, P Mack, P Parfrey, N Blevins.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa).