Farrell delight as Ireland get back on track

Andy Farrell (above) hailed the “top class” attitude of his players after Ireland kick-started their Guinness Six Nations campaign with a resounding 48-10 bonuspoint success over Italy.

A brace from Will Connors, plus tries from Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan, CJ Stander and Keith Earls helped the Irish bounce back from successive defeats to Wales and France.

Ireland had a fortnight to stew on their worst start to a Six Nations tournament and responded emphatically, albeit against the championship’s weakest team, to secure a first away win of the Farrell era.

“I am really proud of the players. They’ve shown real character over the last couple of weeks,” said head coach Farrell.

“It’s not nice coming off two losses and waiting a couple of weeks to try and put that right.

“We talked about a test of character and they have stayed strong, they have stayed very united. As a group, I think they have showed their leadership in different ways.

“I thought we earned the right to score some points with the way that we approached the game in the first half. I thought our attitude was top class.

Ireland’s dominant victory in the Stadio Olimpico could have been greater had they not had a trio of tries – scored by Iain Henderson, Stander and James Lowe – disallowed.

Captain Johnny Sexton added all six conversions and two penalties.