Superb Japan defeat Ireland in brilliant Shizuoka clash

Ireland had to hang on at the death just to get a losing bonus point as they went down to a pulsating defeat to Japan that has thrown Pool A of this Rugby World Cup wide open.

Ireland came roaring out of the blocks in Shizuoka, Garry Ringrose and Rob Kearney both crossing for early tries as they opened up a 12-3 lead.

But from a position of control, Ireland allowed the hosts back into the contest through the boot of fly-half Yu Tamura.

And when replacement Kenki Fukuoka went over on the hour mark, the Brave Blossoms were in front for the first time.

And they repeated their Brighton heroics of four years ago in holding to claim victory, Tamura adding a fourth penalty late on.

Joey Carbery booted the ball off the pitch at the death meaning Ireland did at least hold on to a losing bonus point that could prove vital when all is said and done in Pool A.

Ireland now need one of Scotland or Samoa to do them a favour and beat Japan, otherwise the best Joe Schmidt’s side can hope for is a runner-up finish and a likely meeting with New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Scotland’s task of making the knockouts has now got very tough, they need to win all three remaining games and rack up bonus points where possible.

The last game of the group stage between Japan and Scotland in Yokohama now has plenty riding on it.

But after their bonus-point win over Scotland and a losing bonus point here, Schmidt and his Ireland side can take some consolation from the fact that their fate remains in their own hands.