What an opening 40 minutes.
Ireland are currently 28-10 ahead at half time with the bonus point already secured.
The performance in the first half couldn’t be more different from what we witnessed in Murrayfield last weekend.
Ireland are bringing an incredible level of aggression and intensity to their play which has seen them being rewarded with quick ball.
By the 20th minute, Ireland had 89% possession and it is a testament to the players and their defence, that they almost immediately turned over the ball whenever the Italians were in possession.
It was apparent almost immediately during this game that Ireland meant business and this was signified with Simon Zebo’s incredible take in the opening minutes.
He followed this with some excellent carries which has yielded a total 56 metres and included two clean line breaks.
Zebo off to a spinning start #rterugby https://t.co/sFJY0q8gro pic.twitter.com/YSlkHtQ26r
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 11, 2017
Fans were glowing in their praise of his overall performance.Â
Zebo is having a stormer
— Quealey (@Quealeys) February 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/AshMcCah/status/830429492296421376
Also, I savaged him last week, but today is more like the Simon Zebo we all know. Great to see #ITAvIRE
— Andrew Lowth (@AndrewLowth1) February 11, 2017
Just love how Murray and Zebo work together. Great understanding. #IREvITA
— Nigel Burke (@nigelburke11) February 11, 2017
His pass for Stander’s try didn’t go unnoticed either
Beautiful by Zebo. Excellent by Ireland. Italy folding. #ITAvIRE
— G. Forde (@garforde) February 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/jmaher92/status/830427868656259076
Great try. Lovely work from Heaslip in the build up, and Zebo's miss pass to CJ was outstanding #ITAvIRE
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) February 11, 2017
And that take in the opening minutes
Great catch by #Zebo
— Tom Keating (@tomdkeating) February 11, 2017
— Paul Ahern (@Pwahern) February 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/quiatimet/status/830422974574456832
