Italy 10
Ireland 48
ANDY FARRELL WAS never going to earn World Rugby coach of the year for his sideโs efforts in Rome today but the Ireland boss will be pleased to notch a first win of the 2021 Six Nations.
Irelandโs attack sparked on occasions, most notably for first-half tries by Hugo Keenan and Will Connors after offloads by Garry Ringrose and Jordan Larmour, although there will be realism about the quality of the resistance from a poor Italy display.
Ireland will be frustrated with their stop-start second-half performance as they missed chances to further extend their winning margin, with Romain Poite on TMO duty ruling out two possible scores, but it ended on a high with a late Keith Earls try.
21-year-old scrum-half Craig Casey and lock Ryan Baird both got 17-minute runs on their Test debuts in Rome, with Farrell sure to be happy at giving them a flavour of the international game.
Ireland had hoped to build momentum here ahead of their two remaining games against Scotland and England. A six-try bonus-point win delivers that but there will remain doubts over this Irish team until they beat stronger opposition than this Italian side.
On a day when Robbie Henshaw led the team out for his 50th cap and captain Johnny Sexton played the full 80 minutes, Ringrose, Keenan, and CJ Stander all dotted down tries, while openside flanker Will Connors bagged a brace in an impactful display.
There were further positives in the man-of-the-match performance by Tadhg Beirne at blindside flanker, while Dave Kilcoyne was strong at loosehead prop until he was forced off with a head injury. Tougher tasks lie ahead.
Paolo Garbisi and Sexton exchanged successful penalty shots at goal in the opening minutes but Ireland should have had the first try just eight minutes in after a powerful attack from lineout, only for the match officials to incredibly miss Iain Henderson clearly dotting the ball down. TMO Romain Poite will definitely be hearing more about that one.
However, Ireland did dot down very soon after when centre Ringrose finished through Carla Cannaโs tackle to the right of the posts after Stander and Henderson had gone close with strong carries from close-range.
Sextonโs conversion had Ireland 10-3 in front and he added a further three points when Andrea Lovotti was penalised by Mathieu Raynal for hands in the ruck.
Though Ireland kicked poorly twice off promising turnover possession, their defensive work was strong and impressive loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne won a scrum penalty as the Italians attempted to apply pressure close to the Irish tryline.
A breakdown turnover penalty from Henderson soon gave Ireland another lineout platform in the Italian half and their attack was superb. First, they made a good decision to snipe down the shortside off a maul that had trundled infield, with Larmour making big yards.
When Ireland swung back to their left, James Ryanโs link pass allowed Sexton to move the ball on to Ringrose and he beautifully offloaded to pick out Hugo Keenan on a clever line, the fullback finishing from 20 metres out and Sexton converting again.
Irelandโs third try arrived in the 36th minute from another sharp lineout attack featuring lots of powerful carrying, then a slick link pass from Ronan Kelleher to Sexton, whose delayed pass allowed Larmour to get his hands through a tackle wide on the left, offloading to free Connors to score.
Frustratingly for Ireland, offside and scrum penalties allowed Italy one last chance in the first half and though the visitors repelled their maul strongly, Garbisi darted in between Tadhg Beirne and Tadhg Furlong to offload to Johan Meyer, who brushed off Larmourโs tackle attempt to finish.
Garbisiโs conversion left Italy trailing 27-10 at the start of the second half but they conceded just two minutes after the restart, giving up a second soft penalty for being offside chasing a kick, then Ireland ground towards Stander picking and carrying over to score from a metre out.
Beirne had a big surge down the left touchline in Irelandโs next promising attack but Cian Healy, just on the pitch as a head injury replacement for Kilcoyne, knocked the ball on under little pressure, with Keith Earls โ on at half time for the injured Larmour โ following that error up by kicking out on the full.
That helped to allow Italy back down into Irelandโs 22 but they gave up a technical maul penalty, similar to the one against the away team soon before, to ensure a missed chance.
Irelandโs next visit to the Italian 22 yielded a yellow card for the Italians as sub tighthead Giosue Zilocchi blatantly played the ball in the breakdown while off his feet close to his own tryline. It looked like Ireland had a fifth when Stander hammered over after another scrum penalty, but it was ruled out for a knock-on on TMO review.
But the Italians were reduced to 13 men when captain Luca Bigi was sin-binned in the 65th minute and Ireland scored immediately from the ensuing maul, Connors powering over for his second just to the left of the posts.
Casey and Baird were on for their debuts at this stage and the Leinster lockโs powerful carry kick-started what looked like the next Irish score but it was chalked off after TMO Poite spotted a forward final pass from Casey to James Lowe.
The final stanza of the game was stop-start but they finished with a bang as Earls crossed in the right corner from a Sexton pass, the Ireland captain adding the final two points off the tee.
Italy scorers:
Tries: Johan Meyer
Conversions: Paolo Garbisi [1 from 1]
Penalties: Paolo Garbisi [1 from 1]
Ireland scorers:
Tries: Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan, Will Connors [2], CJ Stander, Keith Earls
Conversions: Johnny Sexton [5 from 5]
Penalties: Johnny Sexton [2 from 2]
ITALY: Jacopo Trulla; Luca Sperandio (Mattia Bellini โHT), Juan Ignacio Brex (Federico Mori โ67), Carlo Canna, Monty Ioane (Gianmarco Lucchesi โ65); Paolo Garbisi, Callum Braley (Guglielmo Palazzani โ77); Andrea Lovotti (Cherif Traore โ47), Luca Bigi (captain) (yellow cardโ 65), Marco Riccioni (Giosue Zilocchi โ47 (yellow card โ61) (Riccioni return โ61)); Marco Lazzaroni (Niccolรฒ Cannone โ47), David Sisi; Sebastian Negri (Maxime Mbanda โ75, Johan Meyer, Michele Lamaro.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour (Keith Earls โHT), Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw (Billy Burns โ71), James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (captain), Jamison Gibson-Park (Craig Casey โ63); Dave Kilcoyne (Cian Healy โ47), Ronan Kelleher (Rob Herring โ63), Tadhg Furlong (Andrew Porter โ47); Iain Henderson (Ryan Baird โ63), James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Will Connors, CJ Stander (Jack Conan โ63).
Referee: Mathieu Raynal [FFR]
Assistant referees: Mike Adamson [SRU] and Craig Evans [WRU]
TMO: Romain Poite [FFR].
Paper over the cracks, Poite didnโt help. Couldnโt score with Italy down to 13 and 14 men
@Sam Murray: cheer up a little
@Sam Murray: Got two disallowed tries in fairness, so the phases were there.
@Not Barnes: just tough to watch :( a bad side beat a worse side, In my eyes
@Sam Murray: if that game was tough to watch of all games with all them tries and offloads Iโm not sure rugby is the right sport for you
@Not Barnes: come on man, youโre telling me those last 15/20 minutes werenโt scrappy ??
@Sam Murray: two disallowed tries, a lovely try to finish, and two young lads given their debut all in last 20. Iโve seen worse
@Sam Murray: it was awful for 30 minutes.
We are winning the World Cup
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: snap
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: again
Plenty of confidence to be taken from that performance although it was far from perfect. Italy are a poor enough side but youโve still got to beat them and Ireland did that handily enough today. Thought Beirne was superb although Iโd still prefer his talents from the second row. Ringrose had a good game as well, was encouraging to see him more solid in defence and also using the space a bit better and hopefully he can continue like that. Thought killer put his hand up for a start in the next game, was his usual ball of energy. Mention for CJ and Connors too who both did well. Congrats to Baird and Casey ( whoโs passing was class, a real upgrade on JGP in that regards). It was good to see sexton play well and get 80 minutes under his belt, something we donโt see too often from the captain.
@Jim Demps: Agree with most bar the JGP slander. Thought he brought a very fast paced game and took some risks which kept Italy on their toes. Also Iโm not a fan of his box kicking but it was pretty good today
@Not Barnes: every one of his box kicks gave possession back to Italy, as far as I can remember.
As for Casey, an unnecessary forward pass and a free kick conceded for delaying the put-inโฆ
@Jim Demps: You really are stretching if you think Casey was an upgrade to JGP. We became very scrappy in the last 20 mins, simply when our couple of debutante came on the game was already over as a contest, the starting 15 had seen to that. Really good to get the new lads a few minutes (which I personally think should have been more). But I would just say that its hard to judge how good they could be off the back of a win like that. Letโs not get ahead of ourselves here. The way you praise all of a particular province and select a token 1/2 of another then lambaste anything that doesnโt wear red every other week is poor. Especially for someone who claims such a knowledge over the sport. Fact is we (Ireland all 4 provinces) won today, things to work on, absolutely. Its a start โ at last.
@Stephen Fitzgerald: Iโd say have a re-read of what I said above. Just compared the passing of the two, nothing more nothing less. As for the rest well, re-read what I said above.
@Jim Demps: I have and my points still cover all of it. We get it youโre a Munster man through and through, I respect that being a Leinster man myself. But your provincial bias clouds what seems to be a half decent understanding of the game.
@Jim Demps: you must be joking. That has to be the wrst second half ever from an Irish team that has talent to burn. The coach must either jump or be asked politely to go. We are wasting what could possibly be the best Irish team Iโve seen in well over 60 years of watching rugby. Talent in all positions but sadly lacking in leadership on the sideline.
@Stephen Fitzgerald: fair play for calling him out. He comes on here like he is some rugby messiah and knows all while lauding over munster players and back hand complimenting leinster players. Itโs easy to see through the red tinted glasses.
@Jim Demps: dont know what game you were watching..GJP was v good with his passing
@JG: absolutely agree Jim. Worst 30 minutes from Ireland in my 60 years.
What a difference having a SH who gives quick service and poses a threat to defenses gives to a team.
Connors, JGP, ring rose, beirne, killer and Keenan all good.
Burns is sadly not an international standard outhalf. Scotland will be a proper test.
Iโve just been texting my good mate from Italy, Ignacio about the game. He is quite the expert when it comes to rugby. He once got to play with Ian McKinley and he helped them to win by 8 points against a rival. Would anybody want to hear his perspective of the match from an Italian point of view? Heโs quite the brain box when it comes to rugby, (but not directions). He is also a Benetton fan and loves fishing. Would anybody be interested?
@Not Barnes: Would love to hear the perspective of an Italian fan.
@Cosmo: he said Ireland deserved to win
@Not Barnes: He hasnโt a clue ! LOL
@Tricksy: I think he knows a bit more than you tricksy (no offense), he has captained his club on occasions too.
@Not Barnes: Nothing like in-depth analysis,,is there?
@Not Barnes: no
@Not Barnes: Does he play with a round ball or an oval ball?
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: bit of both I think. I recall him saying he had trials at Inter Milan, when Keano was over there. Scored 4 goals in the trial match
@Not Barnes: why does your Italian friend have a Spanish name?
More of the same under farrell.irfu need to sack him to end this cycle of only slightly playing with more freedom against Italy and returning to type against respectable opponents. We saw it last six nations, remember oโmahonys great offload against Italy then went to Paris and reverted to the usual bash bash rugby. Also the virgin media commentators creaming them selfโs over that performance and result was shameful. The Irish rugby media are a joke. All pals with the players. Youโd miss George Hook. He wasnโt afraid to call it how he saw it
Mike Catt will probably be grinning like a Cheshire Cat after putting 48 points on the board the the stark reality is that Italy are diabolical.
Speaking of diabolical. Romain Poite adding to his catalog of mistakes. Think he may have been confused with the soccer lines.
Overall not hugely inspired with what I saw today especially for the period we played against 13/14 men even if the game was won
@Paulie Little Balls: think Lancaster will be grinning with the full Leinster backline, not sure if Catt had much influence
@Not Barnes: I agree with you as the words Catt and influence in the same sentence donโt go together. Unless you include the word bad too
Keenan โ 6, did well for his try but his passing wasnโt great.
Larmour โ 5, showed a bit of footwork but should have gone for the Italianโs ankles for their score.
Ringrose โ 8, lively and dangerous throughout.
Henshaw โ 7, heโs the nailed on 12 now.
Lowe โ 7, very dangerous with the ball in hand.
Sexton โ 8, faultless display.
JGP โ 7, kept the tempo up.
Kilcoyne โ 7, great in the loose.
Kelleher โ 6, as good as he is in loose play his lineout throws were poor. He only got pulled for one but I counted 3 not straight.
Furlong โ 6, still playing his way back from injury.
Ryan โ 7, typically robust.
Henderson โ 8, good carries and robbed of a try.
Beirne โ 8, might be hard to get the 6 shirt off him now.
Conners โ 8, brilliant display.
Stander โ 7, great work ethic.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: It is only Italy though and weโll need to back it up against Scotland and England.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: Keenan was an 8 in my eyes fielded everything and what a line for his try.
@hypebeast: the line for the try was good but he fielded uncontested balls and his passing forced receivers to slow down or reach up rather than taking the passes at full pace.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: Would agree except I would give Stander an 8 and Hendy 7
Not sure what to take from this. Ireland were definitely better and there was some good individual performances like Beirne and Ringrose. However, that was easily Italyโs worst performance of the 6 nations, not helped by the ref being super hot on their offside but not ours. The fact we relied on our forwards to win the game is obviously ok in these games but we donโt beat England etc by dominating their forwards. Hopefully we continue this upward trajectory, however minimal at the moment
Media hype again with ireland, was playing the worst italian team in years, connaught would have beaten them, worst ireland team in years
@mark o donovan: come on man, nobodyโs suddenly saying Ireland are great now but you canโt complain with that performance today, great fight. Keep your complaints till the Scotland game
Also, you know that Billy Burns international career is essentially over when you canโt get on against Italy to gain experience
@Paulie Little Balls: he was on the field. Specsavers?
This is like Limerick beating Kerry in a hurling match
Donโt u love the rugby heads on here an Italian player winning his 59th cap has yet to win a 6 nations match and acting here as we are a good team
Weโre gonna win the world Cup
The boys are back. Superb performance
Farrellโs Ireland? Looked more like Cullenโs Leinster.
Most of commentary towards Andy Farnell by the rugby commentariat always seems to point towards his intelligence. I have noticed this a lot from the likes of Neil Francis, Shane Horgan, Gerry Thornley and others.
It smacks of snobbishness against a rugby league lad from the North of England to me. You never here it about Leo Cullen or Stuart Lancaster or others.
Thereโs a definite elitism in rugby and I can see it in the commentary around Farnell focusing on intelligence rather than just sticking to coaching
Embarrassing
Earls and Healy have to be nearing the end of their illustrious careers. Wonderful servants but time to hang up the boots lads. Hope you do it with dignity