DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland’s new charges gave coach Andy Farrell options to consider ahead of the fall rugby closer to Australia after they comfortably handled Fiji 52-17 on Saturday.

All eight of Ireland’s tries came from set pieces, and the result – and a 29-year perfect record against Fiji – was effectively secured at half-time, when they led 28-3.

Fiji have made historic wins in Europe over the past 15 months against England, Australia and Wales but have struggled to find any rhythm. It was undermined by 11 penalties in the first half, alone, and a terrible 17 in total, and a powerful backline was stifled.

Farrell made seven changes to the Ireland XV after the subdued performances against New Zealand and Argentina, to inject some life and spice into his aging squad, and they impressed while overcoming some bumps.

Sam Prendergast, the starting fly-half in his second Test, was sin-binned in just the eighth minute for a shoulder shot but returned to handle the backline coolly with soft hands, confident loops and accurate kicks on and off the tee. He set up a try with a cross kick and converted five.

On debut, Gus McCarthy deepened Ireland’s vast stock of whores with no-look passes and a try after two lopsided throw-ins in another shaky lineout, while flanker Cormac Izuchukwu stood out with a high work rate. He would also have had a try, but for a forward pass.

Ireland slaughtered three tries, and man of the match Bundee Aki was held up over the line, denying him a second try as he recovered from being dropped in the New Zealand loss.

Other standouts included scrum-half Craig Casey in his third start of the year and in-form wing Jacob Stockdale, who was looking for action in his first Test of the year until he limped off at 50 with a hamstring injury, putting him in doubt for the Wallabies next weekend .

“I thought for all sorts of reasons (the game) was very appealing,” Farrell said.

“First of all, there are some really nice stories within our group, with two debutants and people getting the chance to get their second, third start. To win, play some nice rugby – could have, should have done better at times – but I thought we controlled the game very well.”

Captain Caelan Doris, who was up for World Player of the Year on Sunday, opened Ireland’s scoring with a fifth-minute try after McCarthy burst at the back of a lineout.

While Prendergast was in the sin-bin, McCarthy fed Doris again to send flanker Josh van der Flier charging over.

Trailing 14-3, Ireland spent the rest of the half blowing more tries than they scored, but getting Casey and wing Mack Hansen over.

Aki scored the first try of the second half, breaking over from his third touch in a 10-pass build-up.

McCarthy scored from a rolling maul, Hansen got his second try and Ronan Kelleher completed Ireland’s biggest win over Fiji for 22 years.

Ireland were patched up then, with hooker Kelleher in the back row, No. 8 Doris in the middle and replacement scrumhalf Conor Murray on the edge.

Fiji had to be consoled by tries for wing Kitione Salawa and its youngest ever Test player, 19-year-old lock Setareki Turagacoke, who backed Caleb Muntz for his second try off the bench in his second Test. A moment later he also received his first trial yellow card.

Of the high number of penalties, Fiji coach Mick Byrne said, “At the end of the day it’s up to us, we have to be better, and it’s not on the referee.” But Byrne also thought the Irish got all the 50-50 calls because they were at home.

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