Ireland hand hosts Italy 30th consecutive Six Nations defeat
ROME: Ireland got their first Six Nations win this campaign with a 48-10 victory over Italy as the hosts fell to their 30th consecutive defeat in the tournament.
Tries from Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Will Connors lited the Irish 27-10 at half-time.
And CJ Stander, Connors, Keith Earls added three more ater the break for a bonus-point win for the Irish who had lost their opening two games against France and Wales.
The Italians had started brightly with fly-half Paolo Garbisi scoring first with an opening penalty.
Johan Meyer had revived Azzurri hopes just before the break with a try which Garbisi converted for their only points of the day.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell had made seven changes, experimenting with an all-new front row ater a 15-13 defeat to the French and 21-16 loss to Wales with an all-leinster back line.
Smith was forced to make a last-minute Italy shuffle from his unchanged side which had shown some signs of life in a 41-18 defeat to England, with scrum-half Callum Braley replacing Stephen Varney.
Captainjohnnysextonreturnedaterrecovering from a head knock to make his 50th Six Nations appearance with Robbie Henshaw taking to the field first to mark his 50th cap.
Fly-half Garbisi, 20, scored first, but Sexton replied with a penalty two minutes later.
The Italians staved off a series of Irish drives at the line before Jamison Gibson-park sent it to the backs and Ringrose went over for his ninth try in 33rd test.
Sexton converted and the Italians’ defence paid for ill discipline conceding 10 points in a five-minute spell.
Ringrose set up Keenan who burst through to touch down ater half an hour for his fourth try in his ninth test, having scored two on his debut against Italy in October.
Connors added a third six minutes later receiving an offload from Jordan Larmour with Sexton again converting.
Meyer threw Italy a lifeline ater Ireland paid for poor defending with Garbisi sending through for the South African-born flanker.
Stander extended the Irish advantage and looked to have scored a second try ater the hour but it was ruled out following a knock on from Kelleher on the ground.
But Connors went over five minutes later for his third international try.
James Lowe went over following a Casey short pass which was ruled to have been forward.
Casey and Sexton then combined to set up Earls to touch down in the corner with Sexton capping the rout with the conversion before the final whistle.