Ireland secured their first win of the 2021 Six Nations with a 48-10 win over Italy in Rome this afternoon. First half tries from Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Will Connors saw Ireland take a 28-10 lead into the half.
While the second half was the CJ Stander show and Tadhg Beirne show as the Munster men dominated the Italian pack. Stander scored one try, had another chalked off, while Beirne, playing at 6, showed why his future selection for Ireland is all but a certainty.
To complete the back row dominance Leinster's Will Connors crossed the line twice, his two counting, as Ireland scored the second half try as Italy had two men in the bin.
From a Limerick point of view, the game also marked the international debut for Shannon's Craig Casey who was a second half substitute. The former Ardscoil Ris student put James Lowe away for a try, only for the passage of play to be called back for a forward pass, while Keith Earls, himself a second half substitute scored Ireland's final try.
Jonathan Sexton played a captain's roll kicking 8/8 from the tee, while his fellow Leinster man Ryan Baird, also won his first international cap.
Craig Casey is on for his Ireland debut!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
"I had in my arms as a baby would you believe."
Fellow @Shannon_RFC man @AlanQuinlan_1 happy to see him on! #ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/CyOcsG78xy
Next up for Ireland is a meeting with Scotland on Sunday March 14 at 3pm at Murrayfield. Meanwhile Italy have now not won a Six Nations game in 8 seasons.
Scoring Timeline
3-0 to Italy, Penalty from Paolo Garbisi
3-3 Penalty to Ireland from Jonathan Sexton
10-3 Try from Garry Ringrose - Conversion Sexton
RINGROSE!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
The early try Ireland wanted!#ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/8TUHrO8vQL
13-3 Penalty Jonathan Sexton
20-3 - Try Hugo Keenan - Conversion from Jonathan Sexton
HUGO KEENAN! ⚡️
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
Much more like it from Ireland!
Great try!#ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/Bb2kUwc1R6
27-3 - Try Will Connors - Conversion from Jonathan Sexton
WILL CONNORS!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
Brilliant from Ireland! #ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/tT6m5Zcl6h
27-10 - Try Johan Meyer - Conversion by Paolo Garbisi
Italy hit back just before the break!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
Johan Meyer with the try. #ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/e6uAS7ZB2h
HALF TIME
34-10 - Try (Bonus point) for CJ Stander - Conversion by Jonathan Sexton
CJ STANDER!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
Just loves scoring against Italy! @IrishRugby have the bonus point! ✅#ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/sj1jUgepJy
41-10 Try Will Connors - Conversion by Jonathan Sexton
WILL CONNORS!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
He just would not let that ball go!
A second try for the @LeinsterRugby man!#ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/qlyKPFFiDK
48-10 Try Keith Earls - Conversion by Jonathan Sexton
Keith Earls!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
You don't stop him from there!
Brilliant pass from Johnny Sexton!#ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/lnVbjc1PAU
TEAMS:
Italy: Jacopo Trulla; Luca Sperandio, Juan Ignacio Brex, Carlo Canna, Montanna Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Callum Braley; Michele Lamaro, Johan Meyer, Sebastian Negri, David Sisi, Marco Lazzaroni, Marco Riccioni, Luca Bigi, Andrea Lovotti.
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Cherif Traore, Giosuè Zilocchi, Niccolò Cannone, Maxime Mbanda, Federico Mori, Mattia Bellini, Guglielmo Palazzani
Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe , Jonathan Sexton (Capt), Jamison Gibson Park; Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Will Connors, CJ Stander
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Billy Burns, Keith Earls.
Tries: Ringrose (11), Keenan (31), Connors (36,66), Stander (43), Earls (80)
Conversions: Sexton (11,32,37,44,67,80)
Penalties: Sexton (6,18)
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