Russia 3 Ireland 35
Ireland planted one foot firmly in next year's World Cup finals with a comfortable victory in their potentially difficult World Cup qualifying encounter against Russia in Krasnoyarsk.
Four tries, two in the first half from full-back Girvan Dempsey plus efforts from forwards Keith Wood and Malcolm O'Kelly in the second period, laid the foundations for a win cemented by the kicking of Ronan O'Gara, who contributed 15 points with the boot.
The Irish, who had endured an 18-hour journey on Thursday from their Irish base to the eastern Siberian city, got off to an ideal start, settling any pre-match nerves when Dempsey latched onto a second-minute crossfield kick from O'Gara to touch down in the corner.
Out-half O'Gara missed the conversion but was soon in good company as his Russian counterpart Konstantin Rachkov missed an eighth-minute penalty.
O'Gara was back on song midway through the half when he sent over two penalties in quick succession to put an end to a spell of consistent Russian pressure.
Full-back Dempsey popped up again in the 29th minute, providing a passing option outside right wing John Kelly and touching down in the corner for his and Ireland's second try of the match.
This time O'Gara converted and Ireland were 18-0 ahead and set fair to build a match-winning score.
Eddie O'Sullivan's side were not performing without problems however, with their lineouts in particular trouble.
And when giant Russian lock and captain Sergei Sergeev stole another Keith Wood throw just before half-time, it led to a passage of Russian pressure which led to a penalty being awarded by French referee Joel Jutge.
Rachkov, however, blew the chance to give Russia their first points of the match by sending his attempted kick wide of the posts and Ireland went in at the break with their 18-0 lead intact.
The Irish seemed intent on finishing the Russians off as the game restarted and were firmly on the offensive as the second half began.
But they had to wait 13 minutes before they were rewarded. That was when captain Keith Wood charged over the line after fine work by flanker Keith Gleeson. O'Gara converted and the lead was stretched again eight minutes later when another forward, second row Malcolm O'Kelly got on the scoresheet with his fourth international try.
O'Gara was once again on target with the conversion and another successful penalty kick, his third out of three, eased the Irish into a 35-0 lead with 12 minutes of the match to go and the game over as a contest.
Irish coach O'Sullivan further drew the sting out of the game by throwing on all seven substitutes to wind down the clock in the remaining minutes.
The final moments, however, belonged to the Russians as they got their first points on the board with a 78th-minute penalty goal from replacement kicker, South African-born Werner Pieterse.
But Ireland ultimately took the plaudits, despite the late sin-binning of front row Reggie Corrigan for a high tackle, and a comfortable victory means O'Sullivan's side are firmly on track for World Cup finals spot.
They now face Georgia at Lansdowne Road next Saturday while the Russians travel to Tbilisi to play Georgia on October 13th.
Scorers:
Russia: Penalties: Werner Pieters
Ireland: Tries: Girvan Dempsey (2), Keith Wood, Malcolm O'Kelly; Conversions: Ronan O'Gara (3); Penalties: Ronan O'Gara (3)
Halftime: 0-18