Record crushing victory over the Italians

and Zebo’s flat cut-pass sent Stander in at the corner.

The move of the half laid on Ireland’s third score, Jackson and Henshaw switching around a scrum to set Zebo loose on the blindside flank.

Several tight phases later, Earls cantered in all too easily out wide. Jackson’s conversion pushed Ireland into a 21-3 lead, only for the hosts to force a penalty try.

Donnacha Ryan was sin-binned for sacking the second of two fine Italian lineout drives, and referee Glen Jackson had little hesitation awarding the penalty score.

Canna converted to cut Ireland’s lead to 21-10, but not for long.

Italy were pinged for blocking at the kickoff, and despite missing a man Ireland wrapped up the bonus-point score.

Schmidt’s men kept it tight from the penalty lineout, with Stander eventually blasting his way home.

Italy forced the issue at the death of the half, only for McLean to kick away cheaply in Ireland’s 22 – then concede a turnover penalty when the hosts pressed again.

Ireland led 28-10 at the break and then negotiated the end of Ryan’s sin-bin without setback. The visitors, in fact, emerged seven points in credit from that 10-minute period with 14 men.

Stander then completed his 45-minute hat-trick by cutting a fine blindside line off Murray around the ruck. Ireland’s scrumhalf delayed the pass long enough to split the defence.

Ireland’s dominance was such that boss Schmidt could bring off powerful centre Henshaw as a precaution with more than a quarter of the match to play.

Ulster flyer Gilroy stepped his way to a smart score, before Ringrose scythed home.

Gilroy then added a sickening second as Stander’s clearance hoof bamboozled Maxime Mbanda, and the Ulster wing cantered home all too easily.

When Gilroy raced in for his third from Jackson’s pass, the cakewalk was complete.