Ireland tallied up nine tries – the most they have ever scored in a Six Nations match – as they put injury-hit Italy to the sword in a one-sided contest at the Aviva Stadium.
Joe Schmidt’s men ended their winless run in 2016 with a comfortable 58-15 victory, their four first half tries coming from Andrew Trimble, Jack McGrath, CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip.
Number 8 Heaslip completed his brace early in the second period, with Jared Payne and replacements Sean Cronin, Ian Madigan and Fergus McFadden also crossing the whitewash for the hosts.
Heaslip’s first effort just before half-time was the pick of the scores, a sumptuous offload from Simon Zebo launching a sparkling move down the right wing with Payne, Jonathan Sexton, Trimble and McFadden all handling the ball before Ireland’s vice-captain crashed over past two despairing defenders.
Trailing 25-3 at the interval, the Azzurri enjoyed a better share of possession and territory in the closing half-an-hour and tries out wide from full-back David Odiete and Leonardo Sarto did lift their spirits.
However, Ireland were far too strong on a day when they eclipsed their eight-try haul from the 2007 Championship win over Italy in Rome. It is the most tries they have scored in a Test match since their nine-try success against Russia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
It was a day of milestones at the home of Irish Rugby as captain Rory Best made his 50th RBS 6 Nations appearance, Stander scored his first international try and Connacht prop Finlay Bealham came off the bench to win his first cap in the final quarter, joining fellow home debutants Josh van der Flier and Ultan Dillane.
This website uses cookies.
Read More