Ireland got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start in Krasnoyarsk after finally dispatching a teak-tough Russia side.

The Irish scored four tries including a first-half double from full-back Girvan Dempsey.

Ronan O'Gara chipped in with 15 points with the boot as Ireland dominated for long periods without really having the wherewithall to turn possession into points.

However, coach Eddie O'Sullivan will be reasonably happy with his side's performance in travelling to Siberia and collecting the booty.

But there will be plenty of work to do before Ireland face Georgia at Lansdowne Road in the second qualifying tie next Saturday.

The line-outs were abysmal, and there were just too many unforced errors against a side that were strong and physical but lacking technical ability.

The Irish got off to the perfect start when Dempsey swooped in for his first try after only two minutes.

That came about by some excellent work by prop John Hayes, and and a neat kick into the corner by O'Gara.

But soon after, in front of 9,000 passionate fans in the Centralny Stadium, Russia had their best period of the match as they pinned Ireland in their own half.

It looked as if they had struck back in 20th minute when the big boot of fly-half Konstantin Rachkov flighted over a dropped goal.

But referee Joel Jutges strangely called for a penalty to Russia, and Rachkov proceeded to fire past the right-hand upright.

After that escape, Ireland began to re-establish themselves and O'Gara landed two penalty in quick succession.

Ireland more or less made sure that they would succeed in the game with Dempsey's second try when after a flowing movement from deep, he crashed over in the corner.

O'Gara converted and Ireland were handidly-placed at half-time with an 18-point advantage.

It was a different Ireland that came out for the second half as they virtually camped in Russian territory.

Consolation

They stretched their lead in the 53rd minute with skipper Keith Wood crashing over with O'Gara again adding the extra points.

Eight minute later it was O'Kelly turn. A great line-out drive had the Russian pack back-tracking and O'Kelly emerged with the ball to claim his fourth try for Ireland.

O'Gara converted and then banged over his third penalty to end Ireland's scoring for the day in the 67th minute.

Russia had the final say with replacement fly-half Werner Pieterse rifling over a short-range penalty for some consolation.

Russia: A Zakarliouk; A Kuzin A Sergeev, A Korobeinikov, I Dymchenko; K Rachkov, V Motorin; O Shukailov, R Romak, J Hendriks, V Fedchenko, S Sergeev, capt, V Grachev, R Volschenk, V Zykov.

Ireland: G Dempsey, J Kelly, B O'Driscoll, K Maggs, D Hickie, R O'Gara, P Stringer, R Corrigan, K Wood (capt), J Hayes, G Longwell, M O'Kelly, S Easterby, A Foley, K Gleeson.
Replacements: G Easterby for Stringer 74), D Humphreys for O'Gara (73), R Henderson, S Byrne for Wood (74), P Wallace for Hayes (75), L Cullen for Longwell (68), A Quinlan for Easterby (75).

Referee: J Jutge (France).