For a long time, this was an altogether more competitive IRB Nations Cup clash at the National Acrul De Triumf in Bucharest today.

However, ultimately the superior conditioning, strength and skill set amongst the Irish side allowed them romp to a conclusive victory and set themselves up for an excellent chance of winning the title against Romania when the sides play here on Sunday.

Right through, Uruguay provided strong competition but Ireland always held the ace cards and apart from a troublesome opening quarter they were clearly the much better side.

Uruguay took an early lead with a penalty from captain Joquin Prada and they gave as good as they got in the opening 20 minutes.

Yes, Ireland responded with a try from Craig Gilroy after a superb chip through by JJ Hanrahan who also converted, but it was never easy, both teams coming close to scoring tries and Prada missing a 21st-minute penalty chance.

Ireland weren’t as clinical as they showed against Russia in the first game and Uruguay proved menacing at the breakdown which didn’t allow Ireland to get into their stride.

Hanrahan did ease Ireland’s fears with a second penalty to push the lead out to 10-3 after 23 minutes before referee Marius Mitrea of Italy called up for a short water break, a feature of this tournament.

Forward power, with Billy Holland instigating a direct break, brought Ireland’s second try from Mick Kearney and Hanrahan converted to put a bit of distance between the teams, 17-3 after 31 minutes.

Referee Marius Mitrea ran out of Uruguay’s persistence at ruck time when he showed a yellow card to flanker Fernando Bascou in the 40th minute and Paddy Butler drove over for the third try that went unconverted. At half time it was 22-3 to Ireland.

The Irish moved into an even stronger lead 11 minutes into the second half when Butler got his second try that Hanrahan converted.

Uruguay suffered another yellow card loss when number eight Mathias Braun stopped replacement scrum half Paul Marshall in his tracks while attempting to take a quick penalty.

Ireland kicked for touch and were awarded a penalty try for dragging the maul down. Hanrahan converted to push to score out to 36-3.

The hard working Holland deservedly got in for another try that Hanrahan converted and was then tackled high by winger Federico Favaro who was also shown yellow.

Uruguay’s challenge was waning and Ireland went in for another injury time try from Paul Marshall, Johne Murphy doing all the hard work with a break out of defence.

Ian Keatley missed the conversion but with the last opportunity he pushed Ireland past the half century mark with a penalty.

Emerging Ireland: C Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster), J Murphy (Young Munster/Munster, captain), B Macken (Blackrock/Leinster), E Griffin (Galwegians/Connacht), M Allen (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster), L McGrath (UCD/Leinster), J Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster), B Byrne (Clontarf/Leinster), R Lutton (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), M Kearney (Clontarf/Connacht), B Holland (Cork Constitution/Ulster), T O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster), S Dougall (Dolphin/ Munster), P Butler (Shannon/Munster)

Replacements: R Copeland for Dougall (14).P Marshall (Ulster) for McGrath (42), D Foley (Munster) for Kearney (48), C Black (Ulster) for Lutton (49), I Keatley (Munster for Griffin (57), J Tracey (Leinster) for Butler, 66). A Conway for Gilroy (74)

Uruguay: J Etcheverry, F Favaro, P Deal, J Prada (captain), G Gibernau, r Silva, A Duran, M Sanguinetti, C Arboleya, J Echeverria, C Soares, M Beer, A Alonso, F Bascou, M Braun.,

Referee: M Mitrea (Italy)