Fiji ‘did Ireland a favour’ before South Africa game

Fiji head coach Jake White said his side had “done Ireland a favour” by exposing weaknesses before Ireland face South Africa in Dublin next week. Ireland recovered from a slow start to beat Fiji 43-15, but White warned that similar lapses against the back-to-back world champions could prove costly.

Ireland led only 17-15 at half-time before scoring 26 unanswered points after the break. White said South Africa would be more likely to turn close-range scrums, line-outs and penalties into points, while Ireland coach Andy Farrell agreed his team had learned useful lessons and said the scoreline flattered them. Ireland debutant James McNabney made two strong carries but was ruled out of the South Africa match with a head injury.