It was a strange time of year for it, but the Six Nations returned, with Ireland beating Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, 50-17.
The competition returned after a forced break, due to the coronavirus outbreak, which meant that Ireland and Italy had to play a game more than their opponents, due to having two of their games cancelled back in March due to the outbreak – while England, France, Scotland and Wales all had one.
Both Ireland and Italy gave debuts to several of their players, all of whom made a huge impact for their nations on Saturday.
The opening two minutes of the game saw Italy start well, and through good pressure, win a penalty after a good break. Ireland were reduced to 14 men, after Connor Murray committed a professional foul. Italy No 10, Paolo Garbisi, kicked the points to give them a 3-0 lead.
Seven minutes later though, Ireland responded in the perfect way possible with a try from CJ Stander. They won a penalty and attacked patiently, and attritionally, to the tryline. Italy defended as well as they could, but the strength of Stander was too much for them and he pushed over to score. Jonathan Sexton added the extras to make it 7-3 to the hosts.
Four minutes later, the score was 10-3, after Ireland won a penalty from a scrum inside the Italian 22. Again, Sexton added the points.
Throughout the first half, the Italian breakdown was struggling due to the strength of the Irish defence – with the latter winning six turnovers within the first 20 minutes. Despite having more possession than the Irish, 58 per cent to 42 per cent, the Italians simply couldn’t do anything with it. Italy were simply their own worst enemies. Again.
Nine minutes later Hugo Keenan scored on his debut for Ireland. Again, it came from a driving maul within the Italian 22. The ball was played wide, and with a lot of work to do, the Leinster man scored in the corner. Sexton scored the conversion and it was 17-3.
Two minutes later, Keenan thought he had his second try for his country. A Jacob Stockdale breakaway saw him free Keenan who scored in the corner. However, sadly for him his effort was disallowed for an obstruction in the build-up.
However, five minutes before half-time Keenan was not to be denied his second try as Ireland turned defence into attack rapidly. A patient Italy attack was disrupted by an Ireland turnover which saw scrum half Conor Murray find space with a grubber-kick. Keenan ran on to the ball before diving into the score to extend the hosts’ lead. Sexton slotted the conversion as Ireland went into half-time with a 24-3 lead.
The second half saw an improved Italy after their disastrous first half. The visitors kept recycled possession better and were better at the breakdown.
And their good work was rewarded as they scored a try to reduce the deficit. It came from a Sexton error who saw his pass intercepted by Edoardo Padovani who scored under the posts. Garbisi made the conversion to see Italy now trailing by 17 points.
Ireland, who are in the hunt for the Six Nations title, finally got the try bonus-point that they craved with 20 minutes to go when another debutant in young flanker Will Connors scored. Again Sexton was on hand to kick the conversion to make the scoreline 31-10.
The veteran fly-half then crossed the whitewash himself after brilliant through-the-hands rugby from the Irish. A breakaway by Stander gave Ireland a platform within the Italian 22-metre area. Two phases later saw Sexton crash over, but this time he was unable to kick the conversion.
The Irish onslaught continued minutes later as center Bundee Aki slid over to score after a fantastic offload from Peter O’Mahony set him free. Sexton atoned for his last conversion attempt by nailing this one.
Ireland were hungry for more tries and they duly got another with a minute left when Dave Heffernan bundled over to score. It was a wonderful moment for the replacement hooker who had been out of action for 28 months through a series of injuries. Sexton’s replacement Ross Bryne scored a quick conversion as Ireland hoped to add another try.
However, Italy had the final word – of some sorts – as Garbisi scored a brilliant try under the posts before converting his own score to see the final result end in a 50-17 win to Ireland.
This bonus point win for Ireland was crucial. It means that they go into their game against France next weekend knowing that a bonus-point victory would guarantee the Six Nations title, regardless of other results. Italy, however, will face the wrath of Eddie Jones’ England.
