>> Ireland crush Italy in Dublin
IRELAND duly accumulated an impressive total against Italy which helped boost their points difference immeasurably – but it came at the cost of two big injuries that could play a big role later in this tournament.
Tadhg Furlong departed very early with a painful looking hamstring strain and Robbie Henshaw appeared to badly injure his shoulder in scoring his second try.
The injuries slightly took the gloss off victory and at the debrief Joe Schmidt might have a few issues with Ireland’s defence which leaked three secondhalf tries although the Italians showed considerable flair at times behind the scrum.
If only their forwards were the power of old but there is no question that in Matteo Minozzi they have unearthed an exciting player of rare talent.
Although happy with the win in Paris last week, Ireland were not happy with their inability to record a single line-break in 80 minutes. Against the Italians and in much better conditions than anticipated they rectified that in style and had their try-bonus logged after 34 minutes.
Italy actually enjoyed a lively opening, but Ireland were decisive and direct in attack and in no mood to mess around. Indeed, a try looked likely the moment they laid siege for the first time. Conor Murray was well held up by Violi but from the next attack Henshaw crashed through powerfully to open the scoring.
Ireland were on a roll and soon added to their lead with a nicely-taken try by Murray down the left flank – again converted by Sexton – and the one-way traffic continued when Bundee Aki burst over for his first try in an Ireland jersey.
The subject of project players is much discussed but Aki – a Super Rugby winner with the Chiefs five years ago – is pure class and talent and makes the Irish backs even more dangerous.
Italy dug in for a spell after Ireland’s third try but it was only delaying the inevitable and the Irish try bonus duly arrived five minutes before the break.
The Italians were stripped in midfield and Sexton swiftly released Aki who hit the accelerator and carved his way into open space before releasing Keith Earls for his 27th Test try and one of the easiest.
Sexton continued his perfect kicking display by converting from the touchline.
Italy were looking at an ugly mauling and Ireland were in no mood to ease up with all sorts of high octane players on the bench.
Henshaw was the first to strike after the break, reading an overambitious no-look loop pass from Sergio Parisse to Tommy Allan and racing in from 35 yards, at some cost, alas, as he fell awkwardly riding a desperate tackle from Bellini. Ireland will await medical reports on their influential centre with some concern.
The carnage continued with Rory Best rumbling over as the score raced passed 40 but then came a welcome moment of defiance from the Italian with Costello busting through in impressive fashion to feed Allan for a nice score.
The relief was strictly temporary though as Ireland got back in the groove straight away with Carbery putting Stockdale in by the posts after the forwards had softened Italy up from a five-metre lineout. It was, in truth, all too easy.
Italy, though, kept plugging on and even started to enjoy themselves and landed another minor blow with a fine try by Edorado Gori after brilliant work down the left-hand touchline by Parisse and that man Minozzi.
The game had opened up excitingly by now and the pacey Stockdale pounced again with a long intercept try after Castello threw a careless pass but still there was time for a third Italian try from the deserving Minozzi who hit the turbos after two sweeping passes from Allan and Hayward had opened up the Ireland defence.