IRELAND WOMEN BEAT Italy 39-0 in their Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium. Backs Alison Miller and Jennifer Murphy dived over for a second-half score but the Irish pack were the cornerstone of a comprehensive victory and contributed three tries in the process.
The Italians held out Philip Doyle’s charges for the bulk of the first half half but a fine score by flanker Claire Molloy broke their resistance. Ireland had to content themselves with two Niamh Briggs penalties in the opening half hour but hit their stride late on.
Fans that stuck around after the men had defeated Italy 46-7 will have witnessed an odd rugby sight as tight-head Gillian Bourke threw the line-outs. The hooker was shifted over one position in the front row after the recent loss to England. There were few signs of a hangover from that defeat, on 32 minutes, as Molloy ran a smart line, coming onto the ball late and cutting inside at pace to hare clear of the covering defenders. Briggs added the conversion.
Advertisement
There was still time for the Azzurri defence to be punctured again. This time it was a sweeping move, and slick Irish passing that had them stretched. Lynne Cantwell — playing her final home international — was the grateful recipient out on the right wing. She slid over to score and Briggs added the extras.
Lynne Cantwell breaches the Italian line. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland, cheered on by a crowd of just under 6,000, were relentless in the second period and kept up a quick tempo. Miller scored a try that her constant attacking menace deserved before the Irish scrum took over.
The Italian set-piece crumpled in the final 25 minutes and the Irish pack forced multiple penalties. Kicking was not an option as Ireland scavanged for tries. A marauding Irish scrum, on 68 minutes, led to a fourth international try for No.8 Heather O’Brien. Briggs added the conversion to bolster Ireland’s points difference going into a potential championship decider against France.
The coup-de-grace was added by substitute Murphy, who bumped off three blue shirts as she dived over to dot down.
Ireland scorers
Tries: Molloy, Cantwell, Miller, O’Brien, Murphy.
Conversions: Briggs (3), Stapleton
Penalties: Briggs (2)
Ireland Women: N Briggs (J Shiels); A Baxter, L Cantwell (J Murphy), G Davitt, A Miller (H Casey); N Stapleton A Davis; F Coghlan (capt.) (K-A Craddock), S-L Kennedy, G Bourke (F Hayes); S Spence, M-L Reilly ; S Fleming (L Muldoon), C Molloy, H O’Brien.
Forward power too much for Italy as Ireland women keep party going
Ireland Women 39
Italy Women 0
IRELAND WOMEN BEAT Italy 39-0 in their Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium. Backs Alison Miller and Jennifer Murphy dived over for a second-half score but the Irish pack were the cornerstone of a comprehensive victory and contributed three tries in the process.
The Italians held out Philip Doyle’s charges for the bulk of the first half half but a fine score by flanker Claire Molloy broke their resistance. Ireland had to content themselves with two Niamh Briggs penalties in the opening half hour but hit their stride late on.
Fans that stuck around after the men had defeated Italy 46-7 will have witnessed an odd rugby sight as tight-head Gillian Bourke threw the line-outs. The hooker was shifted over one position in the front row after the recent loss to England. There were few signs of a hangover from that defeat, on 32 minutes, as Molloy ran a smart line, coming onto the ball late and cutting inside at pace to hare clear of the covering defenders. Briggs added the conversion.
There was still time for the Azzurri defence to be punctured again. This time it was a sweeping move, and slick Irish passing that had them stretched. Lynne Cantwell — playing her final home international — was the grateful recipient out on the right wing. She slid over to score and Briggs added the extras.
Ireland, cheered on by a crowd of just under 6,000, were relentless in the second period and kept up a quick tempo. Miller scored a try that her constant attacking menace deserved before the Irish scrum took over.
The Italian set-piece crumpled in the final 25 minutes and the Irish pack forced multiple penalties. Kicking was not an option as Ireland scavanged for tries. A marauding Irish scrum, on 68 minutes, led to a fourth international try for No.8 Heather O’Brien. Briggs added the conversion to bolster Ireland’s points difference going into a potential championship decider against France.
The coup-de-grace was added by substitute Murphy, who bumped off three blue shirts as she dived over to dot down.
Ireland scorers
Tries: Molloy, Cantwell, Miller, O’Brien, Murphy.
Conversions: Briggs (3), Stapleton
Penalties: Briggs (2)
Referee: Leah Berard (USA)
Masterful Brian O’Driscoll pulls the strings as Ireland glide past Italy
Out of 10: How Ireland rated in today’s Six Nations clash with Italy
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Claire Molloy Six Nations Women Six Nations latest Lynne Cantwell Match Report niamh briggs Rugby Ireland Women Italy Women