One Ireland star dominates player ratings after scrappy win over Italy

Patrick McCarry

ITALY 16-26 IRELAND

A grim performance but Ireland get all five points and go third in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations table.

Ireland came back from an awful first half and from 16-12 behind to secure a bonus point win in Rome.

Ireland hit the front after nine minutes when Chris Farrell went to within a metre of the tryline after a strong carry. Quinn Roux was there for the next carry and, with Dave Kilcoyne latching on, he got the ball down and left Johnny Sexton with a handy conversion.

Italy got the score back to 7-3 with a penalty but, after failing to claim a restart, Jacob Stockdale picked up the bouncing ball to blaze home his 14th Test try in 17 appearances. 12-3 to the visitors but Ireland’s game then fell to pieces as their errors saw Italy counter-attack and scores tries from Edoardo Padovani and Luca Morisi.

(Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

Conor O’Shea must have felt his Italian charges had a chance at half-time but they wilted in the second half. Keith Earls scored a fine try out on the left wing and almost had another after a sublime break.

The bonus point try was delivered by Conor Murray after a bruising, rolling maul. The scrumhalf kicked the extras and Ireland saw it out to go third in the table and stay in the championship hunt.

Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in green:

Rob Kearney – 5.5

Clever bump on Tito Tebaldi when he was last man and could argue that he was holding his ground, despite the home crowd wails.

Keith Earls – 7.5

Lovely line break, 15 minutes in, and his kick through for Conway almost led to a try. Had to shift into midfield after Aki went off injured. Was shoved by Padovani when chasing back before Italy’s second try. Great footwork and reach to edge Ireland ahead after 50 minutes.

Chris Farrell – 7

Nice line and carry punched a hole before Roux’s opener. Will be disappointed by his defence for that Morisi try, as he was driven back too easily. Lovely hands, after 60 minutes, to put Earls through a gap.

Bundee Aki – 6

Smart turnover 45 seconds into the game. Started well but picked up a head knock and failed his Head Injury Assessment. Only last 15 minutes.

Jacob Stockdale – 6

Not for the first time, Stockdale scored a try out of nowhere. Plucked up a bouncing ball after a restart was missed by the Italians and zoomed for for Test try number 14. Overran his support line to knock on a pass from Earls after the Munster man’s break.

Johnny Sexton – 5

Kicking out of hand was crisp. Snatched a popped pass from Ghiraldini to secure a much-needed turnover. Sucked in defenders and took the hits again but lacking sharpness and fizz.

Conor Murray – 6

Nowhere near where he was, at his best, from 2012 to 2017. Something is off with Murray and Sexton and Ireland’s game-plan has changed to accommodate them in the hope they both click. Had the ball ripped off him by David Sisi inside the Italy 22 to scupper a good scoring chance. Got the bonus point try after a smart play at the back of a rolling maul, and kicked two conversions.

When Ireland needed someone to step up, Conor Murray obliged

Crucial try and two conversions in the second half#ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/q4p9u501gu

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 24, 2019

Dave Kilcoyne – 6

Crumpled his opposite number in an early scrum to win his side a penalty. Latched onto Roux to drive him over the line for the opening try.

Sean Cronin – 4

Won’t start a competitive match again for a while. Overthrew a fifth minute lineout in the Italian 22. Conceded a penalty in the first half when he strayed offside. Another overthrow, on 31 minutes, gifted Italy possession and they made Ireland pay, soon after, when Padovani scored in the corner. Five carries for 10 metres and nine tackles stuck (none missed) in defence. Came on to cover the injured Niall Scannell in the closing stages.

Tadhg Furlong – 6

Kept quiet. Decent in the scrum but had the ball stripped from him on one carry. One clean break off his 13 carries and that accounted for the bulk of his 11 metres gained.

Ultan Dillane – 7.5

Stuck nine tackles in defence and made a couple of carries before being helped from the field after 30 minutes, before returning just before the break. Got back to it and worked hard but made a silly knock-on around 62 minutes.

Quinn Roux – 6

Made some big carries in the open stages, one of which was the opening try. Not as dynamic as other second row options but a worker bee.

Peter O’Mahony – 8

Great body position at an early breakdown to win a turnover. Looked a bit sluggish in the loose but was constantly asking questions at the breakdown and won another turnover on 45 minutes. Lineout steal with 10 minutes to go. 14 tackles landed, 0 missed.

Sean O’Brien – 6

Gave Italy an easy three points for not releasing after making a tackle. Won a crucial turnover, with Ireland under pressure, on 30 minutes. Looked out on his feet trying to get back and fill the line for that Morisi try. Brought off after 58 minutes.

Jordi Murphy – 5

Chased back well to mop up when Tito Tebaldi chipped through into empty space. Jumped well in the lineout. Didn’t make a dent with his carries but tackled and hit rucks well.