Under-21 International: Ireland 34 Italy 9 : Ireland, as expected, got their Under-21 Six Nations campaign off to a winning start with an accomplished performance at Dubarry Park in Athlone last night.
A benign evening and a dry surface provided excellent conditions for Ireland to keep the ball wide and minimise the influence of the big Italian pack, and Mark McDermott's side ran the ball at every opportunity.
This approach yielded a healthy interval lead of 20-6, and with Ireland concentrating on doing the simple things well, they took control of the game.
The large crowd, the product of a good marketing campaign by the host club in Athlone, got great value for money with three top-class tries being produced in the opening half.
Ireland needed to make sure that the Italian pack did not get a foothold, and, with the scrum holding up well, a strong backrow, where blindside Ross Noonan was outstanding, ensured that the hosts were always in control.
A penalty from outhalf Jonathan Sexton after nine minutes settled the home side, and, with some excellent lines being run by the three-quarters, the opening try was not long coming.
A lineout steal inside their half was the platform, with the ball being sprayed across to the right where a change of direction by outside centre Darren Cave opened the defence for fullback Fionn Carr to race through for an excellent score.
But it was not all one-way traffic, and after several drives yielded little, the Italians eventually opened their account after 22 minutes when outhalf Gabriele Brussolo opted to kick a 22-metre penalty.
However, the Italians were exposed down the left-wing three minutes later when scrumhalf Paul Marshall burst through along the tram lines to score.
The second half was not as fluid, and with both sides emptying their benches, play was constantly disrupted.
But the Irish defence was superb, rarely missing the first tackle during a disciplined performance.
And then Ireland broke to kill off any notions of a comeback with the impressive centre Cave chasing a kick to touch down for his side's fourth try.
SCORERS: Ireland: Tries: Carr, Marshall, Williams, Cave, Philpott. Cons: Sexton (2), Doyle Pens: Sexton Italy: Pens: Brussolo (3)
IRELAND: F Carr (Blackrock College); P Durcan (Galwegians), D Cave (Belfast Harlequins), C Doyle (Garryowen), M Williams (Bristol Shoguns/Hartpury College); J Sexton (St Mary's College), P Marshall (Ballynahinch); D Hurley (UCC), S Philpott (Belfast Harlequins), P Doran-Jones (Dublin University); D Toner (Lansdowne), D Tuohy (Gloucester/Hartpury College); R Noonan (UCC), E Uzoigwe (Hartpury College), B Holland (UCC). Replacements: S O'Brien (UCD) for Uzoigwe; F McFadden (UCD) for Sexton; D McGowan (Buccaneers) for Touhy (all 65 mins); T Gleeson (Cork Con) for Williams; C Black (Worcester/Hartpury College) for Doran-Jones (all 66 mins); D Williams (UCC) for Marshall (71 mins); S Cronin (Shannon) for Philpott (74 mins).
Yellow card: Sexton (30 mins).
ITALY: R Robuschi; A Russo, M Neethling, E Patrizio, M Sepe; G Brussolo, F Semenzato; D Giazzon, V Vicere, M Muccignat; M Tveraga, A Saccardo; P Derbyshire, N Cattina, M Pelizzari. Replacements: F Rendace for Saccardo (50 mins); A Michelini for Vicere; L Giovanchelli for Muccignat; E Ceccato for Robuschi (all 59 mins); A Barbieri for Giazzon (72 mins).
Yellow cards: Saccardo (36 mins), Sepe (40 mins); D Varani for Rusoo (65 mins).
Referee: B Robertson (England).
