LET’S MOVE ON
Ireland claim bonus point win but Rome success did little to increase hopes of title
ROME rule for Ireland on a weekend that saw their Six Nations hopes brighten – but a repeat performance over the final two rounds will be the death-knell to their title defence.
This was another unconvincing display by Joe Schmidt’s charges but, after Wales’ victory over England in Cardiff on Saturday, the weekend ended with their championship prospects enhanced.
In each of their previous four encounters, Ireland had put over 50 points on Conor O’shea’s Italy.
But it was a different story on this occasion at the Stadio Olimpico as it was only 13 minutes from time that Conor Murray secured the fourth try for the visitors and a winning bonus point.
This was an error-strewn effort from the start and, while there are a host of big names to return in a fortnight’s time, France will win at the Aviva Stadium in a fortnight’s time unless there’s a big improvement.
Schmidt will demand it after seeing his side trail by four points at the break – having put the first two tries of the game on the board inside 22 minutes.
Overall, Ireland got lucky. Losing Bundee Aki after a 13th minute HIA was a blow and it forced Keith Earls to switch to the centre, but it’s hard to explain why Ireland were so off-key.
On the plus side, Ultan Dillane stood out in making 20 tackles and Chris Farrell did the heavy lifting with 14 carries as Peter O’mahony put in a captain’s shift standing in for rested Rory Best.
Yet Ireland’s passing and handling too often left a lot to be desired.
It proved an afternoon to forget for Sean Cronin in his first Six Nations start. Two of his line-out darts were overthrown and he was called ashore by the 48th minute.
Johnny Sexton kicked a towel in frustration at how it all unfolded as he came off with two minutes remaining, as Jack Carty made his Test debut, while a scintillating last-gasp break by Jacob Stockdale came to nothing in the end, which summed a forgettable game up for the visitors.
Quinn Roux barged over for the converted opening try in the 12th minute and, while Tomasso Allan was successful with his second penalty kick for the hosts, Stockdale cruised over for his 14th try in 17 Tests right from Sexton’s restart.
Allan made it 12-6 with another penalty, but O’shea was angered on the the half hour when Tito Tebaldi’s quick tap penalty left him with only Rob Kearney to beat.
As the scrum-half kicked through, Kearney blocked his run, but ref Glen Jackson saw nothing wrong with it.
Three minutes later, however, the Azzurri were celebrating. Cronin missed Roux in the lineout, Kearney was easily
beaten by Jayden Hayward and Allan’s forward pass sent Edoardo Padovani over.
And then the hosts edged ahead just before the interval after Murray, from a promising attacking position, was robbed by Tebaldi.
Earls looked favourite to collect the scrum-half ’s kick upfield, but was pushed in the back by Padovani.
Italy switched the play and
Farrell and Andrew Conway couldn’t prevent Luca Morisi from scoring. Allan was again off-target but Italy were 16-12 ahead.
Ireland needed to reboot but began sluggishly after Sexton’s kick-off went out on the full. However Earls scored a crucial 51st minute try and Sexton converted.
Earls almost released Stockdale for the fourth try 11 minutes later, but Ireland’s frustration lasted until O’mahony secured Niall Scannell’s lineout throw and Murray pounced off the back of a driving maul.
Sexton converted and it was enough for the five points.