Ireland recover to beat Fiji 43-15 in Dublin in Nations Championship

Ireland defeated Fiji 43-15 in Dublin in the Nations Championship on 14 November 2026, overcoming a sluggish first half to claim a bonus-point victory after scoring 26 unanswered points in the second half.

After a 54-17 win over Argentina last week, Andy Farrell's side made seven changes and began the match without clicking, while Fiji arrived in Dublin having not beaten Ireland in their previous nine meetings and coming off a 54-17 defeat by France. Ireland led 17-15 at half-time despite an unsettled opening and the loss of centre Jamie Osborne to an early injury.

Tommy O'Brien crossed early for Ireland and Ulster wing Rob Baloucoune scored twice in the first half to help the hosts into a 17-15 interval lead; Jamison Gibson-Park was ruled to have lost control after an apparent score and Sam Prendergast's kicking created the space for Baloucoune's opening try. Fiji responded in the first half through Josua Tuisova and Peceli Yato, with Ben Volavola adding a penalty and a conversion to keep the visitors close.

Fiji took the captaincy for the game as Peceli Yato replaced Tevita Ikanivere in that role, and winger Jiuta Wainiqolo produced the break that led to Yato's try. Prop Luke Tagi looked to have scored for Fiji before Isoa Nasilasila was adjudged to have knocked on in the away side's line-out, a decision that prevented another first-half Fijian score.

Discipline affected both sides before the interval: Rob Baloucoune's second try was followed by a yellow card for Ireland captain Tadhg Beirne after referee Angus Gardner had initially shown a card to James Ryan, and Ryan Baird was held up short of the line in the first period. Those incidents contributed to a tense atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium as the teams went in level on tries but Ireland ahead by two points.

The second half belonged to Ireland as Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, O'Brien and Nick Timoney crossed and the home side added three conversions from Prendergast and one from Ciaran Frawley to take the score to 43-15. Ulster forward James McNabney made a notable debut off the bench, making a powerful break and being stopped by Inoke Ravuiwasa, who received a yellow card; McNabney was subsequently unable to continue.

Ireland must now beat the Springboks next week in Dublin and hope France and England lose to Argentina and New Zealand respectively to secure a place in the inaugural competition's Twickenham final on 29 November.