In the end a comprehensive victory for Ireland at the Stade Ostia Lido in Stellapolare. The Irish veered between the sublime and the careless but possessed far too much cohesion and talent for a game, but outclassed, Italian side.
Des Dillon was outstanding for Ireland, Gavin Hickie and Neil McMillan offering great support in the loose in what was a fine performance by the pack. The backs too enjoyed some fine cameos, none more so than Gordon D'Arcy who had a superb game at full back.
Ireland were quickly into their stride, a penalty from scrumhalf Pat McCarthy on six minutes. Then a beautifully timed short pass from outhalf Gavin Duffy put Maurice Lawlor though a gap on the Irish 10 metre line, the latter making 15 metres before releasing Kieran Lewis. The Dublin University centre raced home from 40 metres.
McCarthy missed the conversion and a subsequent 25-metre penalty but it hardly mattered as Ireland were totally dominant. Dillon combined intelligence and footballing pedigree to guarantee serious yardage on every carry and he was ably supported in the loose by flanker Neil McMillan, hooker Gavin Hickie and flanker Alan Hickie.
Lawlor scored his team's second try following good work by Gavin Hickie and Dillon. McCarthy converted.
Full back D'Arcy was causing serious problems for the Italians and grabbed the third try in the corner. McCarthy failed to convert but added the extra points from Gavin Hickie's try on 34 minutes.
D'Arcy finished off the half with a wonderful individual try which McCarthy was able to improve upon. Leading 34-0 at the interval Ireland started the second half scrappily and conceded a soft try to Italian centre Nicholas Zisti.
The visitors play became increasingly ragged, allowing the Italians a foothold they scarcely deserved. The home side made the most of poor Irish tackling with a try from Niccola Mazzucato but to their credit Ireland restored some structure to their game and tries from Browne, Maxwell and D'Arcy, his third, provided a fairer reflection of the gulf between the teams.
Scoring sequence. 6 mins - McCarthy penalty, 0-3; 7 mins - Lewis try, 0-8; 20 mins - Lawlor try, McCarthy conversion, 0-15; 25 mins - D'Arcy try, 0-20; 34 mins - G Hickie try, McCarthy conversion, 0-27; 39 mins - D'Arcy try, McCarthy conversion, 0-34. Half- time - 0-34. 46 mins - Zisti try, 5-34; 49 mins - McCarthy pen, 5-37; 55 mins - D'Arcy drop goal, 5-40; 64 mins - Mazzucato try, 10-40; 67 mins - Browne try, McCarthy conversion, 10-47; 70 mins - Maxwell try, McCarthy conversion, 10-54; 75 mins - D'Arcy try, Lawlor conversion, 10-61.
ITALY UNDER-21: A Masi; C Gaudiello, S Pace, G Franchi, D Sacca; A Onori, P Travagli; G Giordano, C Festuccia, F Accatino; M Vella, E Pavanello; C Guarnaccia, M Bortolami, A Mannato. Replacements: M Pietrosanti, D Zonetti, R Borsato, F Angeloni, S Picone, V Zullo, S Varella.
IRELAND UNDER-21: G D'Arcy (Lansdowne); A Maxwell (Ballymena), K Lewis (Dublin University), M Lawlor (Shannon, capt), G Browne (Blackrock); G Duffy (Galwegians), P McCarthy (Dolphin); R Flanagan (Bruff), G Hickie (St Mary's), N Treston (Blackrock); M McCullough (Dublin University), N Breslin (UCD); A Hickie (Dolphin), D Dillon (UCD), N McMillan (Leicester). Replacements: B Lynn (UCD) for Duffy 49 mins; S Philips (Saracens) for Flanagan 65 mins; H Bourke (Old Belvedere) for A Hickie 70 mins; B O'Riordan (UCD) for McCarthy 71 mins; F Baynes (Greystones) for Maxwell 71 mins.
