SEXTON STARS IN ITALIAN JOB

IRELAND, inspired by captain Johnny Sexton, scored six tries in a big victory over Italy yesterday to earn their first win of his year’s Six Nations.

Tries from Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan (left) and Will Connors gave the visitors a healthy 24-point first-half lead.

But Italy hit back before the interval when Johan Meyer touched down.

CJ Stander muscled over to secure the bonus point for Ireland.

And Connors added a further score while Italy had two men in the sin bin, before substitute Keith Earls dotted down a sixth try after the final move of the game in Rome. Ireland moved into third place with seven points and Sexton said: “It is always a tough place to come and they are well coached.

“We need to keep our performance level like that against two very good sides. This group is on a journey together and we would have liked to have that performance before.”