Ireland Scores Record 106 Points Versus Portugal in Historic Rugby Test

Ireland's rugby team delivered a record-breaking performance against Portugal in Lisbon, winning 106-7 with 16 tries, surpassing their previous records for points, tries, and winning margin set in 2000. Despite missing 17 players on British and Irish Lions duty, Ireland's interim head coach Paul O'Connell fielded a new-look side featuring three debutants—Hugh Gavin, Shayne Bolton, and Alex Kendellen—who all scored tries, with Gavin and Bolton each scoring twice. Flyhalf Jack Crowley was instrumental, converting 12 of 15 attempts and breaking Ronan O'Gara's record for most conversions in a match. Ireland dominated from the start, scoring four converted tries in the first 14 minutes and maintaining control throughout against a Portuguese side ranked 18th worldwide that struggled to keep pace. The match served as a platform for Ireland to test new players and build confidence ahead of their next international fixture against New Zealand in Chicago. While Portugal showed promise at the 2023 World Cup, they were thoroughly outmatched in this encounter, highlighting the significant gap between the teams.