Here is the match report from Rome:
A nice moment for Jack Cart who made his Ireland debut today. It might not have been a classic performance from the team but it will be a day he never forgets.
Full O’Shea reaction
'You saw heart, desire and we just needed a break'
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 24, 2019
Conor O'Shea talks over @Federugby's defeat to @IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/06jLQX0j7t
Schmidt says Murray took over the kicking duties from Sexton as the latter was “getting a kicking out there”.
Jacob Stockdale’s reaction
'It's disappointing we didn't put down as much of a marker as we'd hoped for'@JacobStockdale on @IrishRugby's performance against @Federugby pic.twitter.com/BJ69ZcTiKq
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 24, 2019
O’Shea says Italy gifted Stockdale a try but showed heart and desire. Adding that this performance will show that Italy will not roll over.
It’s France next up for Ireland and you have to assume Schmidt will need to change a few things to ensure it’s a competitive game, as they will need to improve from today’s offering.
Some Conor Murray try action
Conor Murray stretches to extend @IrishRugby's lead in Rome! pic.twitter.com/LiZBNfsrE0
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 24, 2019
Stockdale says his try was very lucky but he showed great anticipation to take control of the ball after a couple of Italians missed the kick-off.
Brian O’Driscoll points out that this was a pretty average performance from Ireland and that they need to go back to basics.
O’Mahony: “We know how difficult it is when we come here. Conor is doing a great job and Italy are a great rugby team.”
He adds that it was great to secure their second away win of the competition.
Updated
Ireland may have won but they certainly have a lot of work to do after that showing. They made a few changes but to look that rusty in a World Cup year must be very worrying for the coaching staff.
Almost an exciting end there when Stockdale collected the missed McKinley penalty, ran down half the length of the pitch before seeing his offload dropped by Earls and the referee blowing for full-time.
Full-time: Italy 16-26 Ireland
It was a great performance from Italy but they just fell short in the end, as Ireland showed a little extra quality and a touch more cunning to get through this tough encounter in Rome.
80+2 min: Italy get a couple of penalties as they look to get a losing bonus point.
78 min: Ireland are keeping hold of the ball here as they look to break down Italy and also let the clock tick down.
76 min: McKinley comes on for Italy. The Irishman, who is blind in his left eye, will really enjoy this moment, I am sure.
74 min: Italy are showing there is still life in them with some great work on the right wing. A couple of forwards then try to power through down the middle. Ruzza looks to get to the line but loses it at the crucial moment when hit by Kearney.
72 min: Allan puts a great kick into the corner to earn a lineout following a penalty being rewarded for a high tackle on Campagnaro. Sadly for the hosts, the knocked it on to give the ball back to Ireland.
69 min: Ireland now have the bonus point after that latest try and it really should be game over. Italy’s defensive frailties have been shown up again here.
TRY! Italy 16-26 Ireland (Murray, 67)
An Ireland maul ends in a try for Murray. O’Mahony takes the lineout and is then joined by a number of his teammates, who power the ball towards the line, ending with Murray stretching to get the ball down. The scrum-half himself then gets the kick, too.
65 min: It’s Italy’s turn to start a quick move after being given a free-kick followed a failed scrum. Sexton strips the ball to win it back and then gets a penalty, allowing him to kick for touch 15 metres from the whitewash.
63 min: Earls strides through the line at pace after some quick passes off the back of a lineout but Italy just about chase him down just when it looks like he’s in the clear. Earls however keeps his wits about him and offloads to Stockdale, who can’t keep hold of it.
61 min: Ireland try to get themselves going with a quick throw-in. Farrell leads the change but only makes it to the edge of his own 22. A late tackle on Sexton results in a penalty for Ireland. Italy need to avoid giving away such silly penalties to stay in this.
59 min: Paul emails in: “If Ireland don’t put this game away swiftly and show their mettle to beat the minnows and the real titans in all phases of the game, RWC 2019 is going to be another missed opportunity for Earls, Sefton and co.”
This certainly is a time to show what they can do against a weaker team.
57 min: Italy skew the scrum to the left, which sees a penalty given against them. Ireland move quickly down the pitch and enjoy some quick hands but Italy just about manage to block the spaces in their defence.
55 min: Padovani does extremely well to hold onto a pass around his ankles and then lifts his head up to see a gap. Sadly the move comes to an end after Zanni is penalised for a knock-on despite the fact it looked to have hit his knee.
53 min: Ireland drive the ball over the halfway line but struggle to make any more progress as Italy push them back to show they are very much still in a game.
TRY! Italy 16-19 Ireland (Earls, 51)
After a long process of trying to power their way over Earls takes a couple of steps to the right and goes through a tiny gap he earned for himself. Murray coverts to give Ireland a three-point lead.
Updated
50 min: Ireland move it quickly inside the Italy 22 but just can’t find the desired gap. They eventually come back for a penalty under posts but decide to tap thinking a try is coming. It is a similar theme as Ireland try to force their way through but Italy hold them up well as Ireland throw everything at them.
48 min: Another penalty goes the way of Ireland after the referee calls an offside. Ireland kick for touch, allowing incoming hooker Scannell, who replaces Cronin, a chance to show what he can do. His first throw finds its destination, which is a positive.
46 min: Italy give away penalty after O’Mahony stops the release with the ball on the floor. It was a dangerous situation at the time but they were unable to make the most of it.
Updated
44 min: Ireland have started terribly here. An up and under is dropped by Kearney. This is utterly useless from Ireland, if they do not improve they are set for a shock defeat. Someone on the pitch needs to get them going.
42 min: Sexton’s kick-off did not go 10 metres, which is a pretty underwhelming way to start a half. Let’s hope things improve.
Second-half
Here we go again!!!
It will be interesting to see how Italy deal with being ahead. They are certainly better attacking than defending, so will need to keep that positive attitude rather than considering holding on.
The first Italy try was pretty decent move ...
A brilliant try from @Federugby as Edoardo Padovani finishes off a fine move! pic.twitter.com/GguGavGxdg
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 24, 2019
Italy are making me looking rather silly here, but not as silly as Ireland are looking. The visitors looked dangerous early but apart from the Stockdale try the invention levels have been rock bottom. They need to be quicker with it and find the holes which are there, as Italy look flawed defensively. Italy on the other hand are the superior attacking team with Tebadli, Padovani and Hayward all looking like breaking the lines.
Half-time: Italy 16-12 Ireland
Italy are looking the better team in attack her and rightly go into the break leading, but Ireland have been pretty lacklustre throughout the opening period.
TRY! Italy 16-12 Ireland (Morisi, 38)
Cronin gets the lineout right, allowing Ireland to get a maul going. They earn some good territory but Italy win it back and kick clear. Padovani is chief chaser of Tebaldi’s kick and it ends up in the corner, before it swung out to the other side where Morisi collects after Tuivaiti is tackled, before powering over the line. There could be a shock on here ...
Updated
36 min: Italy looking good going forward here but they really need to work on their defence as Ireland will take advantage of the problems the hosts have there.
TRY! Italy 11-12 Ireland (Padovani, 33)
Hayward shows some quick feet to defeat the Ireland defence after the visitors lost a lineout, but they just about hold him up in the end, but that is not the end of the danger as the ball is chucked out to the opposite wing by Allan to Padovani who runs it in. Allan can’t convert from the wing, sadly.
32 min: Sexton fails to find touch with a kick, allowing Italy the chance to attack but after some quick passing, the Irish fly-half snatches the ball back.
30 min: Tebaldi breaks down field and sends a kick beyond last man Kearney, who he then runs into, cueing boos from the home fans who think their man was blocked by the Irish full-back. The referee awards nothing.
A reminder of the second Irish try:
Stockdale blazes through after an Italian mix-up to extend @IrishRugby's lead! pic.twitter.com/CvJSIdr2DS
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 24, 2019
Updated
28 min: A low-trajectory kick from Sexton finds Stockdale on the wing from the restart, allowing Ireland to attack. Italy suffer some quick hands going across the field and they get a penalty.
PENALTY: Italy 6-12 Ireland (Allan, 26)
Padovani receives a pass to his feet when in space on the right wing, which is a shame as if it was into his hands he would have been one-on-one. On the upside, they then get a penalty for offside, which Allan converts.
24 min: Aki’s game is over after failing his head injury assessment, disappointing for him but it’s certainly the right thing for the circumstances.
TRY! Italy 3-12 Ireland (Stockdale, 21)
Well well well ... the kick-off is completely missed by the Italian forwards and then it bounces off another, allowing Stockdale to take hold of the ball and sprint through the space to touch down. Poor from Italy. Sexton sends the conversion just wide.
Updated
PENALTY! Italy 3-7 Ireland (Allan, 20)
Italy almost get a try of their own but Campagnaro is penalised for trying to restart play having been tackled. Luckily for them it goes back for a penalty to the hosts and Allan smashes it through the sticks.
Updated
18 min: Italy’s Allan aims for a very long penalty but it lacks any sort of accuracy, which is a shame.
16 min: Ireland are happy to throw the ball around, knowing that gaps will eventually appear in this Italy defence. One arrives as Earls cuts in from the right wing, sees off a couple of players and then sends a grubber kick for Conway to chase but Hayward reads it and removes the danger.
Updated
14 min: The Italy defence could not cope with Farrell going through the middle and could be in for a long 80 minutes if they are going to defend like that.
TRY! Ireland 0-7 Ireland (Roux, 11)
Farrell almost powered his way over the line but is held up short but Roux thrusts himself over the whitewash. Sexton then hits the conversion through the posts.
Updated
9 min: This time Italy earn a penalty in their own 22 for a maul collapse. The scrum goes a lot better on this occasion, allowing them to kick downfield to relieve pressure.
7 min: Italy give away another penalty for collapsing the maul on this occasion. It’s been a very bitty start due to the indiscretions. Ireland will take advantage of this sooner or later.
5 min: A few early mistakes from both sides in the early stages, Murray the latest culprit as he needlessly knocks on. The subsequent scrum goes nowhere as Italy can’t cope with the Irish pack, earning a penalty for the visitors but nothing comes of it as they lose the lineout.
Updated
3 min: Italy have started with decent intensity but Ireland are showing they are willing to throw it around in attack. Campagnaro and Hayward look good for Italy and could cause problems for the Irish defence.
Kick-off: Italy v Ireland
1 min: Let’s get ready to rumble!
A few tears in the eyes of the Italy team during the national anthem. There might be a few more at full-time.
Updated
The teams are out on the pitch in front of a stadium which is a long way from being full but I think there are more there today than when Wales played there. They are greeted by a collection of flag bearers dressed in medieval gear.
Updated
Lawrence Dallaglio says Italy really need to make improvement in defence, as conceding four five tries a game is not really a successful policy.
O’Shea tells ITV that Italy need to learn how to learn how to operate under pressure, as there is generally minimal pressure when you’re always losing.
Some good news for English rugby today ...
Gar emails in: “The thing is getting the crowds to go on attending at Stadio Olimpico.
“They are in proportion to the success of the team, and dwindling fast
for Six Nations games. however after the excitement of the WC they will
be able to take the European bull by the horns and have a three match
win perhaps, in 2020. That would be good for their game, and improved
play. Anybody who performs in a public place for an audience knows that
the finesse of the performance is always improved by the applause
gained. Even a primary school piano teacher knows that. Treviso is now a
pretty good team, I’m sure you agree, and there is, just like Scotland,
a plentiful supply of Rugby teams in Italia.”
It’s an interesting choice of suit, that’s for sure ...
Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton start together at 9 and 10 for the 50th time in Test matches, which is a pretty impressive feat. They are the third half-back pair to reach this milestone together in the professional era - after Australia’s George Gregan and Stephen Larkham (78) and Irish pair Peter Stringer and Ronan O’Gara (55).
Hooker Sean Cronin is making his first Six Nations start.
“I am sure that Sean is excited,” said Joe Schmidt. “He has come off the bench and made an impact any number of times so why not do it from the start? It is not that he does not know that we have faith in him. He is very much team-oriented and will want to put his best foot forward and he is up against a very experienced opponent.”
Italy did beat Ireland 22-15 back in 2013 but since then they have been beaten by at least 23 points in their Six Nations encounters, which does not bode well.
This the first time Sergio Parisse has missed a Six Nations match in nearly four years. His last absence was during the 2015 Championship when Italy lost 61-20 at home to Wales.
There has been plenty of change in the Italy camp in the last 12 months, with only four players in Italy’s starting XV today started the match against Ireland in last year’s competition. Simone Ferrari, Dean Budd, Braam Steyn and Tommaso Allan are that quartet.
Still no Six Nations victory for O’Shea as Italy boss - here Paul Rees has a look at the Azzurri ...
The Ireland team have an interesting trip around Rome on Saturday ...
Irish rugby team being escorted through Rome .... by a lunatic pic.twitter.com/onu8Pp8Lag
— Liam Whelan (@liam11) February 23, 2019
Teams: Italy v Ireland
Italy: 15-Hayward, 14-Padovani, 13-Campagnaro, 12-Morisi, 11-Esposito, 10-Allan, 9- Tebaldi; 1-Lovotti, 2-Ghiraldini (capt), 3-Ferrari, 4-Ruzza, 5-Budd, 6-Tuivaiti, 7-Mbanda, 8-Steyn
Replacements: 16-Bigi, 17-Traore, 18-Pasquali, 19-Sisi, 20-Zanni, 21-Guglielmo Palazzani, 22-McKinley, 23-Castello.
Ireland: 15-Kearney, 14-Earls, 13-Farrell, 12-Aki, 11-Stockdale, 10-Sexton, 9-Murray; 1-Kilcoyne, 2-Cronin, 3-Furlong, 4-Dillane, 5-Roux, 6-O’Mahony (capt), 7-O’Brien, 8-Murphy
Replacements: 16-Scannell, 17-McGrath, 18-Ryan, 19-Henderson, 20-Van der Flier, 21-Cooney, 22-Carty, 23-Conway.
Preamble
Good afternoon!
Essentially we’re all just here to see how points Ireland rack up against Italy.
After an opening game loss to England, Ireland showed what they can do against Scotland and will be looking to build on that in Rome today. The last three fixtures between the two sides have worked out at an average score of 59-11 in favour of the Irish and it could be a similar walloping today if the Italians aren’t careful.
To make matters worse for the Italians, Sergio Parisse is absent due to concussion. They have lost all 12 Six Nations games under Conor O’Shea, which is a sign of how badly they have been doing, leading some to call for them to be dropped from the competition entirely.
Let’s be honest, there is pretty much no chance of a shock on the cards today but let’s try to enjoy the fun.
