British & Irish Lions
• What did the South Africans ever do for us?
Ireland Rugby
Ireland 55 – 0 Canada
Kidney’s reign started solidly with a win at Thomond Park.
It was a day of firsts for Ireland, Kidney in Charge, Tony Buckley making his first start, Keith Earls first involvement and a maiden try (along with Jamie Heaslip). It was Thomond Parks first international match as well.
It was a forgettable game as the weather played havoc with the game, allow Ireland to go 17-0 up in 14 minutes, and be 38-0 up at half-time thanks to tries from Earls, Kearney (2), Heaslip and Bowe!
At half time Kidney brought on fresh legs in Hayes and Best, but the opening 20 minutes were quiet, by the hour mark more fresh legs were on – five in total for Ireland.
David Wallace having come off the bench was the first to liven things up with a try, converted by Paddy Wallace (on for O’Gara) to take it to 45-0.
Alan Quinlan was on the end of a flowing move through Paddy Wallace, Horgan, Bowe and Kearney to get his first since the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The conversion was missed but still left time for another unconverted try as Bowe dived into the corner after a looping pass from Horgan.
Roll on the All Blacks……