Irish hold on against 14-man Italians

ITALY gave Ireland an almighty scare as their 14 men narrowly lost in Donnybrook.

The Azzurrini lost Jacopo Bianchi to a red card after nine minutes, but still ran in five tries and took two losing bonus points from the game.

James McCarthy crossed twice for the Irish in the first half, as the home team ran in four tries to lead 31-12.

However, they had to withstand an almighty comeback before eventually prevailing by four points.

The visitors had made the perfect start with an intercept try from Tommaso Coppo but James McCarthy quickly finished off good work from fellow winger Peter Sullivan.

Italy were dealt a hammer blow when flanker Bianchi was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Jack Dunne.

Ireland took full advantage, scoring two tries in the space of three minutes through scrum-half Hugh O’Sullivan and lock Cormac Daly, both sniping in from close range.

Harry Byrne converted both to make it 19-5 and after an Antonio Rizzi penalty, he was on target again when McCarthy grabbed his second, chipping over the top and leaping acrobatically when it landed awkwardly for the covering defence.

By this point Ireland had the bonus point in the bag, and they ran in a fifth try through Sullivan on the right.

Italy had the final say of the half, with Niccolo Cannone going over from close range. Rizzi’s conversion cut the interval lead to 31-15.

Ireland restarted at pace with Jack Aungier powering over, Byrne converting. But Italy responded through centre Damiano Mazza after the pack had been stopped on the line.

He was quickly followed by Rizzi, with the fly-half converting the second to make it 38-27, finishing off a brilliant score as Michelangelo Biondelli and Mazza combined wonderfully.

Tommy O’Brien was denied what would have surely been the decisive score when Michael Silvester put a foot in touch.

And in the closing stages it was replacement Edoardo Iachizzi who forced his way over, with Rizzi again slotting the snap conversion.