Ireland 8-11 to top Pool A after bagging bonus-point win over Russia in Kobe

Ireland are considered near-certainties by bookmakers to reach the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and 8-11 favourites to win Pool A after moving back to the top of the group with a 35-0 success over Russia in Kobe.

They are two points clear of hosts Japan and six points in front of Scotland and Samoa.

However, several layers were underwhelmed by the overall performance of Joe Schmidt's side and eased them to 14-1 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

Ireland were forced to wait until the 62nd minute for the four-try bonus point despite crossing the whitewash in the second minute through Rob Kearney, and they twice played for ten minutes with a player advantage.

Peter O'Mahony, Rhys Ruddock, Andrew Conway and Garry Ringrose were the other Irish tryscorers.

There will also be slight concern that Ireland's kingpin fly-half Johnny Sexton was seen to be icing his leg in the second half after being replaced at the break but head coach Schmidt downplayed the matter in his post-match interview.

Backrower Jordi Murphy, a squad call-up in the week for Jack Conan, was also withdrawn at the interval while utility back Joey Carbery could not take his place on the bench because of worries over his ankle.

Japan, who stunned Ireland in Shizuoka last week and face Samoa in Toyota on Saturday before a showdown with Scotland next Sunday, are 6-4 to top the section and 1-2 to qualify for the last eight.

The Scots, who bounced back from heavy defeat to Ireland in their opener with a solid success over Samoa, are 33-1 to sneak top spot in the pool and 5-4 to progress.

BoyleSports go 500-1 about Samoa stealing the Pool A spoils by beating both Japan and Ireland and then getting the Yokohama result they need and 150-1 about them sneaking second.

Ireland are asked to give up 30 points on the early handicap by Betfair and Paddy Power for next Sunday's clash.

Scotland are 38-point favourites to beat Russia in Fukuroi on Wednesday.

Earlier on Thursday, a second-half surge took Fiji to a 45-10 victory over Georgia in Higashiosaka. The Flying Fijians are still as big as 80-1 to reach the quarter-finals by finishing their Pool D campaign with a bonus-point win over Wales and having other results go their way.

For exclusive Rugby World Cup tips, team breakdowns, betting guides, results and more visit racingpost.com/rugby-world-cup

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport