Paul O’Connell 'feels sorry' for Portugal after Lisbon massacre

Ireland interim head coach Paul O’Connell admitted he felt sorry for Portugal after his side’s record-breaking 106-7 win in Lisbon.

O’Connell’s side, without 17 players currently on British and Irish Lions tour duty, ran in 16 tries in a one-sided rout to eclipse their previous biggest win when they scored 13 tries in an 83-3 defeat of the United States in 2000.

O’Connell told Virgin Sports: “I feel sorry for Portugal, but we were very clinical and took our chances.

“It is a unique summer tour given the Lions tour is on at the same time, but I am very happy with how our squad applied themselves.

“It is great to get some guys capped and scoring tries and training in an international environment.”

Connacht pair Hugh Gavin and Shayne Bolton went over twice apiece on their debuts and there was also a brace each for club team-mate and flanker Cian Prendergast and Leinster wing Tommy O’Brien.

With fly-half Jack Crowley landing 12 of his 15 conversion attempts – Ireland were also awarded a penalty try – the tourists also racked up 100 points for the first time.

Captain Craig Casey, who went over for Ireland’s ninth try early in the second half, told Virgin Sports: “Our major takeaway from today is our mentality. We were very professional and played our game to get the result.

“It’s a shame the stadium wasn’t full, but seeing the amount of Irish fans here was special to get the result for them.”

Ireland had 11 different try-scorers in addition to the penalty try, with centre Stuart McCloskey, forwards Thomas Clarkson and Alex Kendellen and replacements Calvin Nash, Ciaran Frawley and Ben Murphy also touching down.

Ireland next face New Zealand in Chicago in a one-off Test on November 1.