HOW THEY RATED

HUGO KEENAN 7 Took a brilliant line for his try and showed trademark assurance at the back. Has nailed down No15 shirt.

JORDAN LARMOUR 7 Good under the high ball and in build-up play. Poor in defence for Meyer try. Departed early.

GARRY RINGROSE 8 Backed himself for Ireland’s opening try and a brilliant offload to let Keenan in. Looks back to his best.

ROBBIE HENSHAW 7 Continued his excellent Six Nations form with good footwork for ground gains. Always eager in attack.

JAMES LOWE 6 Almost got in with a break after just nine minutes but kicked too often when there was space to exploit.

JOHNNY SEXTON 8 Excellent from the tee where he was 100% and made a good play in the build-up to Connors’ first try.

JAMISON GIBSON-PARK 6 Brought pace to the Ireland game but was too far away from the ruck at times. Box-kicked well

DAVE KILCOYNE 7 Busy shift with good carrying, huge clear-outs and a scrum penalty win which he loved. Some ill-discipline.

RONAN KELLEHER 8 Big turnover win early on and good lineout bar one occasion. Heavily involved with ball-in-hand.

TADHG FURLONG 7 Early penalty concession only blight in his first start in over a year as he carried effectively throughout.

IAIN HENDERSON 7 Unfortunate to have his early try chalked off but continued his strong form in the engine room.

JAMES RYAN 7 Fortunate to get away with a couple of dodgy clear-outs but displayed his trademark workrate.

TADHG BEIRNE 9 Switched to the backrow but proved just as effective with yet another man of the match award.

WILL CONNORS 8 A brace of tries just reward for the openside. Trademark tackling and made a fine steal. Brilliant display.

CJ STANDER 6 Relliable as ever. Italy couldn’t cope with direct carrying through the middle. Typically forceful for his try.

REPLACEMENTS Rob Herring 6 (for Kelleher 63) Cian Healy 6 (for Kilcoyne 47) Andrew Porter 6 (for Furlong 47) Ryan Baird 7 (for Henderson 63) Jack Conan 7 (for Stander 63), Craig Casey 7 (for Gibson-Park 63) Billy Burns 5 (for Henshaw 71) Keith Earls 7 (for Larmour 40)

COACH - ANDY FARRELL 7 Better but Italy’s issues make it hard to tell if Farrell has turned a corner.