Ireland kept their Six Nations Grand Slam hopes alive with a bonus-point win after a seven-try thriller against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
The Irish arrived at the Stadio Olimpico as the world’s top-ranked team on the back of two convincing victories against Wales and France, and raced into a 24-17 lead at half time, before Andy Farrell’s charges secured a 34-20 triumph.
Ireland left wing James Lowe kicked off an exciting first half when he lost control of a trademark one-handed attempt over the line, yet a few minutes later put skipper James Ryan away for the opening try.
The hosts hit back when scrumhalf Stephen Varney finished off a well-crafted break and flyhalf Paolo Garbisi struck the first of his two conversions of the stanza, but the visitors replied when fullback Hugo Keenan twisted and turned his way over the line for their second. Flyhalf Ross Byrne added the extras with his second of four attempts at goal before the interval.
Garbisi then closed the gap to two points with a penalty, only for Lowe to create Ireland’s third touchdown with a no-look pass to outside centre Bundee Aki at the close of the first quarter.
The men in green went into the break with the bonus point in the bag thanks to right wing Mack Hansen’s fourth international try, but they would’ve been kicking themselves after left wing Pierre Bruno intercepted and burst away to dot down under the posts for the Azzurri on the stroke of half time.
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Another Garbisi penalty made it a four-point game inside the third quarter, before Aki’s second visit into the endzone was overturned on a TMO referral, but Byrne earned Ireland some breathing room with his first three-pointer of the encounter from the kicking tee.
The Irish then put the game beyond doubt when Man of the Match Hansen completed his brace after a period of sustained pressure from the brave Italians.
Ireland will next be in action away to Six Nations wildcards Scotland on 12 March, just over 24 hours after Italy host Wales on 11 March.
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