
Andy Farrell hails Ireland’s composure with Six Nations win in France
Ireland will hope to continue building momentum as they welcome Italy to Dublin in round two of the Six Nations.
Andy Farrell’s defending grand slam champions were incredibly impressive in their opening fixture in Marseille, controlling their opponents, the contest and a febrile French crowd to take a big step towards another tournament crown. Farrell makes a number of changes for his side’s second fixture, with Caelan Doris set to captain his country for the first time from the back row.
Italy arrive at the Aviva Stadium buoyed by an encouraging performance against England last weekend, a narrow defeat suggesting that the Azzurri could well be competitive throughout this year’s campaign.
A much-changed Irish side will be wary of the dangers that their visitors might pose having been given a serious scare in Rome last year and struggled to put Italy away in a warm-up fixture ahead of the World Cup.
Follow live updates from Ireland vs Italy in today’s live blog, and get the latest Six Nations odds and tips here:
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Ireland 29-0 Italy, 72 minutes
James Lowe scythes up the centre on the inside of Harry Byrne after the forwards do their job. Lowe gets down into the Italian 22 after his fourth line break of the day, but retreating Italian bodies block Caelan Doris’ vision – the Ireland captain’s fumble of Craig Casey’s pass really is the rarest of errors.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:36
Ireland 29-0 Italy, 71 minutes
A spinning top of a scrum means neither Michele Lamaro, still at number eight even with Vintcent on, nor replacement scrum half Martin Page-Relo wish to retrieve the ball from the base, allowing Ireland to almost latch on. Page-Relo’s knock on ensures that the scrum feed will be theirs anyway.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:34
Ireland 29-0 Italy, 70 minutes
A debut for Ross Vintcent of Exeter in the Italy back row. The number eight has plenty of gas, but won’t get the chance to show it immediately, Giacomo Nicotera’s lineout toss stolen at the front by Joe McCarthy.
McCarthy’s been quietly impressive again this afternoon.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:32
Ireland 29-0 Italy, 67 minutes
It looks like Jordan Larmour may be operating at outside centre, up in the line as Ireland tap a scrum free kick quickly. They ease into the Italy half but Larmour’s attempts to clear a ruck are illegal – another neck roll with Larmour a little late arriving.
Giacomo Nicotera was the man wrenched. He’s another handy breakdown operator – might Italy consider starting him henceforth after a bit of a tough outing for Gianmarco Lucchesi?
Here’s that brilliant James Lowe finish in full sound and vision:
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:30
Ireland 29-0 Italy, 65 minutes
Jordan Larmour replaces Robbie Henshaw, who has been really effective in that 13 channel again. A decision to make in midfield for Andy Farrell if Garry Ringrose is back fit for round threei n a fortnight – Bundee Aki, you’d imagine, is a certain starter, but Henshaw’s made a real case to partner him.
Bosh! Jack Conan positively pulverizes Ange Capuozzo as the full-back tries to spark something from nothing, forcing a knock on.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:28
TRY! IRELAND 29-0 Italy (James Lowe try, 62 minutes)
A piston-pumping finish from James Lowe!
Pure power from the Ireland wing, good all day again and now with a score to celebrate. The build-up play was excellent to open up an alleyway through which Lowe could sprint, but there are still four cover defenders coming across at him with seven metres still to run. Lowe angles in, using his sharp edges to rid himself of Ange Capuozzo and Paolo Garbisi while still having the strength to hold off Monty Ioane and Giacomo Nicotera to the line.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:24
Ireland 24-0 Italy, 61 minutes
Oh dear. Ange Capuozzo throws a speedy lineout even with Italy down to 14 men, but there’s not much on for Paolo Garbisi on the left as his teammates spread it to him. Garbisi thus kicks for touch, not, perhaps, realising that the mark for the quick lineout was outside the 22 – carried back, out on the full, Ireland’s ball in advanced territory.
Iain Henderson is on in the Irish second row.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:23
Ireland 24-0 Italy, 59 minutes
Harry Byrne has gone in at ten, with Jack Crowley now at full-back after Hugo Keenan’s withdrawal. Byrne fluffs his line in the latest Irish attacking production, a pull-back pass at his throat knocked on after Crowley had cut a dummy angle in front of him.
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:21
YELLOW CARD! Tommaso Menoncello is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 24-0 Italy, 58 minutes
Off to the bin goes Tommaso Menoncello! A sharp intercept from James Lowe defending on the outside, and Menoncello throws out a leg as he tries to accelerate away. It’s not exactly a Paolo Maldini challenge from Menoncello – he’ll have ten minutes to consider his actions on the naughty step.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:20
Ireland 24-0 Italy, 57 minutes
A handful of Ireland changes: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole and Harry Byrne all on. Byrne is on for Hugo Keenan, who did look to have done an ankle in the build-up to that try. Ireland will hope that is just precautionary.
Danilo Fischetti has taken leave for Italy; Mirco Spagnolo on.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2024 16:18