Ireland have laid down a marker for their tournament credentials with a clinically efficient and ruthless 27-3 victory over Scotland in Yokohama.

Taken on face value, seven tries and a 25pt victory to open your Rugby World Cup campaign is not exactly to be sniffed at. But Italy still managed to underwhelm as they overcame a spirited Namibian side 47-22 in Osaka yesterday.

The All Blacks have sent out a message to the rest of the competition with an impressive, if not entirely dominant, 23-13 defeat of South Africa in their opening Rugby World Cup match in Yokohama.