GONE ARE THE days when Ireland could enjoy a stroll in the park against Italy in the Six Nations, the near guarantee of plentiful tries making it something of a calm curiosity of a fixture.
For the second year running, Andy Farrell’s men found themselves in an intense, pulsating, thrilling battle against the Azzurri, who led 10-5 at half time and gave every single one of the home fans a real fright.
This literally came down to the bounce of the ball in the 77th minute as Paolo Garbisi’s chip over the Irish defence just evaded Tommaso Menoncello for what might have been an equalising converted try.
The Italians showed that they’re continuing to get better here and they deserve real respect, but Ireland showed that they continue to be a team who deliver the ultimate mixed bags of performances.
There was some class in here from Farrell’s men, particularly a slick team try topped off by Jamie Osborne in the first half, and an even better flowing multi-phase try that the excellent Robert Baloucoune finished brilliantly in the second.
Stuart McCloskey continued to state his case as Ireland’s best player with another influential performance as he provided the assist for both of those tries, while number eight Jack Conan bagged the other Irish try from close range.
And they showed some grit to come from behind to win a game that could have got away.
Jack Crowley made an inpact off the bench for Ireland. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
But then there was the bad stuff from Ireland, like a scrum that disintegrated under massive pressure from the Italians, even after the experienced Tadhg Furlong was sent on at half time. It’s rare to see the Wexford man lifted off the ground at scrum time.
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Farrell’s men turned the ball over too often outside of those sweeping passages that yielded their tries, while they were fortunate with a few big let-offs in both halves. In the first, Lorenzo Pani couldn’t find his captain, Michele Lamaro, with an offload. In the second, Menoncello’s scoring pass to wing Louis Lynagh was ruled to be forward.
Ireland weren’t helped by what looked like a harsh yellow card for Craig Casey in the first half, but then they didn’t take enough advantage of a first-half yellow for Italy’s Lynagh, winning only 5-3 in that 10 minutes.
Overall, this was not the convincing response Ireland wanted to last week’s disappointment in Paris, but they have a Six Nations win on the board.
Among the positives were McCloskey’s latest showing, an impressive return for Lowe, Baloucoune’s cracking finish on his Six Nations debut, some nice moments from Cormac Izuchukwu on his, and a Test debut for Edwin Edogbo in the final 10 minutes. Jack Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park were among those to make a telling impact from the bench.
But this was not the kind of performance that will put all of the concerns about Ireland’s trajectory to bed. Next weekend’s trip to Twickenham looks like a daunting task.
Ireland were 10-5 down at the break after a troubling first half that had started with some promise as newly-introduced wing pair Baloucoune and Lowe won the first couple of aerial battles, while Joe McCarthy and James Ryan carried aggressively.
Farrell’s men initially lacked accuracy in the Italian 22, with Dan Sheehan pinged for jumping dangerously into the tackle after tapping a five-metre penalty, before Italy won a counter-ruck turnover close to their line after a good attack from Baloucoune and Lowe.
The Italians were down to 14 men at that stage, right wing Louis Lynagh shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on, and Ireland finally made the numerical advantage count when they put together a sharp, snappy nine-phase sequence of attack that ended with McCloskey spinning and offloading to send Osborne over.
But Prendergast had a bad miss off the tee with the conversion just to the left of the posts, then Ireland gave up three points before Lynagh returned from the sin bin. It was a tough penalty on Cormac Izuchukwu for contact in the air at a lineout but Paolo Garbisi made no mistake for 5-3.
Restored to 15 men, Italy grew in belief and Ireland had a let-off after Lorenzo Pani countered superbly off a mishit Prendergast contestable kick, the Italy fullback chipping and regathering before nearly finding skipper Michele Lamaro with an offload out of Craig Casey’s crucial scrambling tackle.
But the tide was against Ireland now and Casey found himself in the sin bin for a high tackle soon after. It seemed very harsh when the Irish scrum-half was so passive in the contact with Lorenzo Cannone. Even the off-field review, which confirmed yellow but suggested high force in the collision, was confusing.
Italy didn’t mess around with Ireland down to 14. The penalty went into the left corner, they constructed a superb maul, and hooker Giacomo Nicotera darted off it to score, Garbisi converting with composure from wide on the left.
The Italians were 10-5 to the good and with their scrum suddenly enjoying total dominance, crumbling the Irish pack with seconds of the half remaining, they had one last chance to extend the lead. Ireland needed a big turnover from McCloskey in a tackle on opposite number Leonardo Marin to nip it in the bud.
Whatever was said at the interval had the desired effect because Ireland resumed with renewed energy and punch, with Tadhg Furlong sent on at tighthead.
They put together a purposeful attack, won a penalty, kicked to the left corner, and powered their way over from close range as number eight Jack Conan produced a potent finish. But again, Prendergast was wide with a kickable conversion.
Back to 10-10, Ireland gave up more momentum at the scrum in the following minutes, Furlong unable to prevent another gigantic Italian shove.
Down in their own 22, Farrell’s men needed a smart lineout steal from Izuchukwu, an important try-denying tackle from Osborne and Baloucoune on Pani, then a breakdown turnover from captain Caelan Doris to survive the ensuing onslaught.
There was then another big let-off for Ireland as powerful Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello scythed in between Conan and Garry Ringrose just inside the Irish half and appeared to send Lynagh over with a long pass to his right. Fortunately for Ireland, TMO Ian Tempest called it forward and referee Hollie Davidson agreed.
With 25 minutes left, Farrell sent on Crowley for Prendergast and Ireland instantly put together a brilliant multi-phase attack that ended with a superb Baloucoune finish.
Lowe, Ryan, and Izuchukwu featured prominently as Crowley steered the slick phase play calmly from 50 metres out, and once they were within striking range, McCloskey’s clever overhead pass gave Baloucoune the space to show his speed as he swerved outside Pani and beyond Cannone. Out-half Crowley added the extras.
Now it was Ireland setting the tone in an increasingly pulsating game, and they sensed the chance to begin opening up some breathing room, Lowe kicking ahead well at one stage and Crowley stroking three points through the posts for a 20-10 lead.
Ireland's scrum had some tough moments. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Yet the scrum remained under severe pressure, with the experienced Furlong ‘getting his wings’ as he was lifted off the ground in the 66th minute, with Italy opting to kick the three points through Garbisi for 20-13.
Ireland botching their next lineout didn’t help to ease the home nerves in the Aviva Stadium, but replacement scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park soon rolled a settler of a kick into touch down in Italy’s 22.
Yet there was still time for plenty more drama as Garbisi’s chip just bounced to the right of Menoncello in a big score for Ireland with a few minutes to go.
Edogbo was penalised to give Italy another chance in the Irish 22, but their defence held firm with the clock in the red and Lowe came away with a vital intercept, racing down the other end and helping Ireland to win a penalty.
That gave Ireland a chance to grab a try-scoring bonus point, but Crowley kicked the ball dead. And in truth, Farrell’s men didn’t deserve it.
Related Reads
Our player ratings as Ireland survive stern Italian test
Ireland come perilously close to the (previously) unthinkable against spirited Italians
Ireland scorers:
Tries: Jamie Osborne, Jack Conan, Robert Baloucoune
Conversions: Jack Crowley [1 from 1], Sam Prendergast [0 from 2]
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Farrell's Ireland survive a big scare to beat Italy in Dublin
Ireland 20
Italy 13
GONE ARE THE days when Ireland could enjoy a stroll in the park against Italy in the Six Nations, the near guarantee of plentiful tries making it something of a calm curiosity of a fixture.
For the second year running, Andy Farrell’s men found themselves in an intense, pulsating, thrilling battle against the Azzurri, who led 10-5 at half time and gave every single one of the home fans a real fright.
This literally came down to the bounce of the ball in the 77th minute as Paolo Garbisi’s chip over the Irish defence just evaded Tommaso Menoncello for what might have been an equalising converted try.
The Italians showed that they’re continuing to get better here and they deserve real respect, but Ireland showed that they continue to be a team who deliver the ultimate mixed bags of performances.
There was some class in here from Farrell’s men, particularly a slick team try topped off by Jamie Osborne in the first half, and an even better flowing multi-phase try that the excellent Robert Baloucoune finished brilliantly in the second.
Stuart McCloskey continued to state his case as Ireland’s best player with another influential performance as he provided the assist for both of those tries, while number eight Jack Conan bagged the other Irish try from close range.
And they showed some grit to come from behind to win a game that could have got away.
But then there was the bad stuff from Ireland, like a scrum that disintegrated under massive pressure from the Italians, even after the experienced Tadhg Furlong was sent on at half time. It’s rare to see the Wexford man lifted off the ground at scrum time.
Farrell’s men turned the ball over too often outside of those sweeping passages that yielded their tries, while they were fortunate with a few big let-offs in both halves. In the first, Lorenzo Pani couldn’t find his captain, Michele Lamaro, with an offload. In the second, Menoncello’s scoring pass to wing Louis Lynagh was ruled to be forward.
Ireland weren’t helped by what looked like a harsh yellow card for Craig Casey in the first half, but then they didn’t take enough advantage of a first-half yellow for Italy’s Lynagh, winning only 5-3 in that 10 minutes.
Overall, this was not the convincing response Ireland wanted to last week’s disappointment in Paris, but they have a Six Nations win on the board.
Among the positives were McCloskey’s latest showing, an impressive return for Lowe, Baloucoune’s cracking finish on his Six Nations debut, some nice moments from Cormac Izuchukwu on his, and a Test debut for Edwin Edogbo in the final 10 minutes. Jack Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park were among those to make a telling impact from the bench.
But this was not the kind of performance that will put all of the concerns about Ireland’s trajectory to bed. Next weekend’s trip to Twickenham looks like a daunting task.
Ireland were 10-5 down at the break after a troubling first half that had started with some promise as newly-introduced wing pair Baloucoune and Lowe won the first couple of aerial battles, while Joe McCarthy and James Ryan carried aggressively.
Farrell’s men initially lacked accuracy in the Italian 22, with Dan Sheehan pinged for jumping dangerously into the tackle after tapping a five-metre penalty, before Italy won a counter-ruck turnover close to their line after a good attack from Baloucoune and Lowe.
The Italians were down to 14 men at that stage, right wing Louis Lynagh shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on, and Ireland finally made the numerical advantage count when they put together a sharp, snappy nine-phase sequence of attack that ended with McCloskey spinning and offloading to send Osborne over.
But Prendergast had a bad miss off the tee with the conversion just to the left of the posts, then Ireland gave up three points before Lynagh returned from the sin bin. It was a tough penalty on Cormac Izuchukwu for contact in the air at a lineout but Paolo Garbisi made no mistake for 5-3.
Restored to 15 men, Italy grew in belief and Ireland had a let-off after Lorenzo Pani countered superbly off a mishit Prendergast contestable kick, the Italy fullback chipping and regathering before nearly finding skipper Michele Lamaro with an offload out of Craig Casey’s crucial scrambling tackle.
But the tide was against Ireland now and Casey found himself in the sin bin for a high tackle soon after. It seemed very harsh when the Irish scrum-half was so passive in the contact with Lorenzo Cannone. Even the off-field review, which confirmed yellow but suggested high force in the collision, was confusing.
Italy didn’t mess around with Ireland down to 14. The penalty went into the left corner, they constructed a superb maul, and hooker Giacomo Nicotera darted off it to score, Garbisi converting with composure from wide on the left.
The Italians were 10-5 to the good and with their scrum suddenly enjoying total dominance, crumbling the Irish pack with seconds of the half remaining, they had one last chance to extend the lead. Ireland needed a big turnover from McCloskey in a tackle on opposite number Leonardo Marin to nip it in the bud.
Whatever was said at the interval had the desired effect because Ireland resumed with renewed energy and punch, with Tadhg Furlong sent on at tighthead.
They put together a purposeful attack, won a penalty, kicked to the left corner, and powered their way over from close range as number eight Jack Conan produced a potent finish. But again, Prendergast was wide with a kickable conversion.
Back to 10-10, Ireland gave up more momentum at the scrum in the following minutes, Furlong unable to prevent another gigantic Italian shove.
Down in their own 22, Farrell’s men needed a smart lineout steal from Izuchukwu, an important try-denying tackle from Osborne and Baloucoune on Pani, then a breakdown turnover from captain Caelan Doris to survive the ensuing onslaught.
There was then another big let-off for Ireland as powerful Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello scythed in between Conan and Garry Ringrose just inside the Irish half and appeared to send Lynagh over with a long pass to his right. Fortunately for Ireland, TMO Ian Tempest called it forward and referee Hollie Davidson agreed.
With 25 minutes left, Farrell sent on Crowley for Prendergast and Ireland instantly put together a brilliant multi-phase attack that ended with a superb Baloucoune finish.
Lowe, Ryan, and Izuchukwu featured prominently as Crowley steered the slick phase play calmly from 50 metres out, and once they were within striking range, McCloskey’s clever overhead pass gave Baloucoune the space to show his speed as he swerved outside Pani and beyond Cannone. Out-half Crowley added the extras.
Now it was Ireland setting the tone in an increasingly pulsating game, and they sensed the chance to begin opening up some breathing room, Lowe kicking ahead well at one stage and Crowley stroking three points through the posts for a 20-10 lead.
Yet the scrum remained under severe pressure, with the experienced Furlong ‘getting his wings’ as he was lifted off the ground in the 66th minute, with Italy opting to kick the three points through Garbisi for 20-13.
Ireland botching their next lineout didn’t help to ease the home nerves in the Aviva Stadium, but replacement scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park soon rolled a settler of a kick into touch down in Italy’s 22.
Yet there was still time for plenty more drama as Garbisi’s chip just bounced to the right of Menoncello in a big score for Ireland with a few minutes to go.
Edogbo was penalised to give Italy another chance in the Irish 22, but their defence held firm with the clock in the red and Lowe came away with a vital intercept, racing down the other end and helping Ireland to win a penalty.
That gave Ireland a chance to grab a try-scoring bonus point, but Crowley kicked the ball dead. And in truth, Farrell’s men didn’t deserve it.
Ireland scorers:
Tries: Jamie Osborne, Jack Conan, Robert Baloucoune
Conversions: Jack Crowley [1 from 1], Sam Prendergast [0 from 2]
Penalties: Jack Crowley [1 from 1]
Italy scorers:
Tries: Giacomo Nicotera
Conversions: Paolo Garbisi [1 from 1]
Penalties: Paolo Garbisi [2 from 2]
IRELAND: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey; James Lowe, Sam Prendergast (Jack Crowley ’56), Craig Casey (yellow card ’32) (Jamison Gibson-Park ’52); Jeremy Loughman (Tom O’Toole ’67), Dan Sheehan (Rónan Kelleher ’52), Thomas Clarkson (Tadhg Furlong ‘HT); Joe McCarthy (Tadhg Beirne ’52), James Ryan (Edwin Edogbo ’70); Cormac Izuchukwu (Nick Timoney ’59), Caelan Doris (captain), Jack Conan.
ITALY: Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh (yellow card ’11), Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin (Paolo Odogwu ’67), Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco (Alessandro Garbisi ’63); Danilo Fischetti (Mirco Spagnolo ’59), Giacomo Nicotera (Tommaso Di Bartolomeo ’59), Simone Ferrari (Muhamed Hasa ’59); Niccolò Cannone (Riccardo Favretto ’67), Andrea Zambonin (Federico Ruzza ’60); Michele Lamaro (captain), Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone (David Odiase ’67).
Referee: Hollie Davidson [SRU].
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