IRELAND HAVE PICKED up their first win of the Women’s Six Nations after a bonus-point victory against Italy in Parma.
The result puts Ireland third on the table and sends them into a rest week before preparing for England’s visit to Cork on 12 April.
Anna McGann helped herself to a hat-trick as Scott Bemand’s side wrapped up the bonus point in the first half. Aoife Dalton got them off the mark, while Amee-Leigh Costigan also went over as McGann bagged a brace before the break.
Out-half Dannah O’Brien was flawless from the tie in the first period, slotting all four of her kicks. Linda Djougang, Dorothy Wall, and Brittany Hogan all crossed over in the second half as McGann completed her hat-trick with the clock in the red to bring Ireland’s final try-tally to eight.
Aoife Wafer also went across the Italy line but her try was ruled out following a TMO consultation which ruled that Niamh O’Dowd was guilty of blocking during a lineout. Replacement Emily Lane, who was very impactful after her second-half introduction, also came close but just as she was about to race over, she was hauled down with a tackle that forced her to spill possession.
O’Brien finished her afternoon with just one missed conversion from eight attempts, slotting some particularly tricky kicks in a brilliant afternoon of kicking efficiency.
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Ireland coughed up just two tries to Italy in an otherwise solid defensive effort. With Ireland leading 14-0, Sofia Stefan fired out the back of an Italian scrum to finish in the Ireland corner.
Beatrice Rigoni added Italy’s second just before the 70th minute, although it was a somewhat controversial call from the officials. She appeared to be off her feet when she swivveled over the line. But, following a consultation with the TMO, the referee ruled that a ruck had not formed and the score stood.
Ireland responded by running in two tries in the final 10 minutes to cap off a dominant display.
After losing out to Italy in the last two Six Nations championships, Ireland have avenged for those defeats and complimented their brave and encouraging display against France last week to finally get their championship moving.
Another major test against England awaits in two weeks.
Italy:
15. Francesca Granzotto
14. Aura Muzzo
13. Michela Sillari
12. Beatrice Rigoni
11. Alyssa D’Inca
10. Emma Stevanin
9. Sofia Stefan
1. Silvia Turani,
2. Vittoria Vecchini
3. Gaia Maris
4. Valeria Fedrighi
5. Giordani Duca,
6. Sara Tounesi,
7. Francesca Sgorbini
8. Elisa Giordano.
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Eight-try Ireland earn first win of the Six Nations with bonus-point heroics against Italy
Italy 12
Ireland 54
IRELAND HAVE PICKED up their first win of the Women’s Six Nations after a bonus-point victory against Italy in Parma.
The result puts Ireland third on the table and sends them into a rest week before preparing for England’s visit to Cork on 12 April.
Anna McGann helped herself to a hat-trick as Scott Bemand’s side wrapped up the bonus point in the first half. Aoife Dalton got them off the mark, while Amee-Leigh Costigan also went over as McGann bagged a brace before the break.
Out-half Dannah O’Brien was flawless from the tie in the first period, slotting all four of her kicks. Linda Djougang, Dorothy Wall, and Brittany Hogan all crossed over in the second half as McGann completed her hat-trick with the clock in the red to bring Ireland’s final try-tally to eight.
Aoife Wafer also went across the Italy line but her try was ruled out following a TMO consultation which ruled that Niamh O’Dowd was guilty of blocking during a lineout. Replacement Emily Lane, who was very impactful after her second-half introduction, also came close but just as she was about to race over, she was hauled down with a tackle that forced her to spill possession.
O’Brien finished her afternoon with just one missed conversion from eight attempts, slotting some particularly tricky kicks in a brilliant afternoon of kicking efficiency.
Ireland coughed up just two tries to Italy in an otherwise solid defensive effort. With Ireland leading 14-0, Sofia Stefan fired out the back of an Italian scrum to finish in the Ireland corner.
Beatrice Rigoni added Italy’s second just before the 70th minute, although it was a somewhat controversial call from the officials. She appeared to be off her feet when she swivveled over the line. But, following a consultation with the TMO, the referee ruled that a ruck had not formed and the score stood.
Ireland responded by running in two tries in the final 10 minutes to cap off a dominant display.
After losing out to Italy in the last two Six Nations championships, Ireland have avenged for those defeats and complimented their brave and encouraging display against France last week to finally get their championship moving.
Another major test against England awaits in two weeks.
Italy:
15. Francesca Granzotto
14. Aura Muzzo
13. Michela Sillari
12. Beatrice Rigoni
11. Alyssa D’Inca
10. Emma Stevanin
9. Sofia Stefan
1. Silvia Turani,
2. Vittoria Vecchini
3. Gaia Maris
4. Valeria Fedrighi
5. Giordani Duca,
6. Sara Tounesi,
7. Francesca Sgorbini
8. Elisa Giordano.
Replacements:
Ireland:
15. Stacy Flood
14. Ann McGann
13. Aoife Dalton
12. Eve Higgins
11. Amee-Leigh Costigan;
10. Dannah O’Brien,
9. Aoibheann Reilly
1. Niamh O’Dowd
2. Neve Jones
3. Linda Djougang;
4. Ruth Campbell
5. Fiona Tuite
6. Edel McMahon
7. Erin King
8. Aoife Wafer
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Ireland Off the Mark Rugby Italy Women's Six Nations