IRISH ARE NEW ALL BLACKS...

Ireland 36 Italy 0

ITALY boss Gonzalo Quesada says Six Nations favourites Ireland remind him of the All Blacks at their best.

Andy Farrell’s side shut out the Azzurri to go top of the championship table on 10 points.

Their six-try victory followed a record win on French soil in the tournament opener nine days earlier, and was Ireland’s 10th in a row in the championship, as they look to win back-toback Grand Slams.

Quesada claimed Ireland played like the All Blacks by emphatically putting the game to bed.

“It was like the All Blacks from some years ago – they had a 100 percent return from their scrum and their lineout and at high balls,” said Quesada.

“They were also running their rucks in attack and defence with extreme efficiency, so there was nothing we didn’t expect in terms of level of performance.

“They did what we know they can do. The frustration is more that we didn’t put a bit more pressure on them.”

Ireland got off the mark in the eighth minute through Jack Crowley’s first Test try (above) and were 19-0 up at the break.

Farrell said: “With two from two and maximum points, 36-0 is a nice scoreline for us.

“It’s a better scoreline than 56 points to 20, if you know what I mean.

“I thought we were clinical at times. Our set-piece was excellent, top-drawer.

“Two from two. It’s a decent start but it gets tougher from here on in.”

Caelan Doris, who was Ireland’s captain for the first time, added: “The way we started was pleasing, keeping them to zero was definitely very pleasing given the quality of their attack.

“It was something we talked about during the week, they’ve a lot of structure in their attack and they’ve got threats throughout.

“So I don’t think it’s a mean feat keeping them to zero and we’re happy with that, definitely.”