Ireland annihilate Italy

CJ Stander scored his first Test try as Ireland thrashed Italy 58-15 in Dublin on Saturday.

It was the Six Nations champions' first win of the 2016 campaign, following a draw with Wales and defeats to France and England, while Italy suffered their 11th loss in 13 matches.

Andrew Trimble, Jack McGrath, Stander and Jamie Heaslip scored four first-half tries as Ireland led 25-3 at the break.

The hosts more than doubled their score in the second half, with Jared Payne, Heaslip and replacements Sean Cronin, Ian Madigan and Fergus McFadden adding further tries.

David Odiete and Leonardo Sarto's second-half tries came as scant consolation to Italy, who will finish the tournament with the wooden spoon.

Ireland – Tries: Andrew Trimble, Jack McGrath, CJ Stander, Jamie Heaslip (2), Jared Payne, Sean Cronin, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden. Conversions: Johnny Sexton (4), Ian Madigan. Penalty: Sexton.
Italy – Tries: David Odiete, Leonardo Sarto. Conversion: Kelly Haimona. Penalty: Edoardo Padovani.

Ireland – 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray,  8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Jack McGrath.
Subs: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Nathan White, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Fergus McFadden.

Italy – 15 David Odiete, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Edoardo Padovani, 9 Guglielmo Palazzani, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 George Biagi, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Andrea Lovotti.
Subs: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Matteo Zanusso, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Abraham Steyn, 21 Alberto Lucchese, 22 Kelly Haimona, 23 Luke McLean.

Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Post by