NERVES JANGLE FOR BOSS ANDY

FROM BACK PAGE head coach. Italy blew the chance to draw level before Hansen’s killer try and Farrell admitted: “What Irish fan wouldn’t have been biting their nails when the cross-field kick went in and bounced very close. That’s what Test matches are all about and that’s how it should be.”

And after being critical of Ireland’s finishing at times against France, the Englishman was banging the same drum in Rome.

“We need to take our chances,” admitted Farrell, who confirmed that prop Finlay Bealham twisted his knee.

“Mack Hansen dropped a ball just before half-time, James Lowe dropped a ball over the try line, we gave an intercept try away, so we probably should have – could have, would have – had a better lead going into half-time.

“They continue to fight, we knew that was going to happen again in the second half after the little bit of a piggy-back we gave them with the try before half-time.

“They showed the character of staying with it and so the best part of our game was staying in. The bench was excellent coming on. I thought we showed great character actually, to just keep playing our game. We found a way. The character of the last 20 minutes was really pleasing.”

James Ryan captained Ireland in the absence of Johnny Sexton and he was blown away by the atmosphere.

“To have 25,000-plus Irish people here today was incredible,” he said. “It was very special to be able to lead my country out today with such great support there.

“My dad was actually a bit sick with the flu this week so I told him the last thing he needed was to get on a flight, three hours over and three hours back. I told him to rest up. He was pretty gutted but I’m sure he’ll get to the next game.”

Ryan conceded that Ireland need to be more consistent over 80 minutes. He added: “I don’t think today was an 80-minute performance.

“We made it quite difficult for ourselves at times, particularly in the first half. That’s still a positive for us in a way because we’re three from three, top of the table.”