Ireland made extremely hard going over it against Italy but got the 16-9 win that keeps them on course of the quarter-final.
Here’s how we rated the men in green.
Simon Zebo – 6
Was kept very quiet in the first half, aside from one foray up the left flank. Strong tackle on Sarto, on 50 minutes, after he claimed an up-and-under and threatened to score. Stirring counter-attack in the final moments.
Tommy Bowe – 6
Made one superb, smothering tackle on Michele Campagnaro to snuff out a dangerous break. His aerial claim, leaping above Sergio Parisse, on 58 minutes was a joy to behold.
Keith Earls – 7
Stood up to everything Italy threw at him and wriggled through for some front-foot gains. Superb link up with Robbie Henshaw for his try. A couple of loose offloads that went to ground.
Robbie Henshaw – 8
Fell off one tackle in the opening exchanges but never missed the target after that. Peachy offload for Earls’ try. Says something about his brute strength that he sat down Italian flanker Simone Favaro at one stage after an arcing carry.
Dave Kearney – 5
Subdued. Made a big, early hit on Venditti and was defensively solid all day. Saw very little of the ball in the second-half.
Johnny Sexton – 7
A scything break, on 7 minutes, almost led to a try before he dinked over Ireland’s opening score. Wanged one lengthy penalty off the posts as Ireland struggled to put some distance between themselves and Italy. Big defensive tackle forced a turnover [spill] with three minutes to play.
Conor Murray – 7
Tried to keep Ireland pressing forward but was not helped with slow ball. Fumbled once to turnover possession in the Italian 22. His accurate box-kicking reappeared as Ireland tried to close out the game in Italy’s half. Tackled like a terrier.
Jack McGrath – 7
This man loves a tackle. Sat Sergio Parisse down in one collision before hunting for more blue shirts. Replaced after 55 minutes following a handy shift.
Rory Best – 6
His tackling was off-colour in the first half but he was solid with set-pieces. Stepped up, after the break, with some vital carries.
Mike Ross – 6
His afternoon started with this punishment from Sergio Parisse but improved thereafter. Ireland’s scrum was on the money, on their own put-in, and Ross is a big part of that.
https://twitter.com/philousports/status/650700257500598272
Iain Henderson – 9
Climbed into the Italians early and never let up. Brilliant block-down of Tommaso Allan’s clearing kick before he ragdolled a covering defender, ala Stephen Ferris. Won a crucial turnover just outside his 22.
Paul O’Connell – 7
Conceded a penalty, needlessly, for not rolling away. Got his team on the front-foot with a few hefty ball carries. Stayed on to the death as Ireland hung on.
Peter O’Mahony – 6
Got up for a line-out steal that, 30 seconds later, led to Ireland’s opening try. Made a huge, try-saving tackle on Josh Furno when a certain score looked on. Stupid no arms tackle on 71 minutes saw him deservedly sin-binned. Loses two marks for that.
Sean O’Brien – 7
The man is a bull. Steamrolled through blue shirts on a number of his carries. 14 carries for the cause in his 66-minute shift.
Jamie Heaslip – 5
Decent shift but no stand-out moments. Made one important carry, on the hour mark, that led to a penalty.
Replacements
Cian Healy – 5
[On for McGrath ’55] Added a bit of bark, and fight, when he came on. Pinged at the scrum on 74 minutes.
Nathan White – 5
[On for Ross ’55] Was part of a scrum under serious pressure after O’Mahony was binned.
Devin Toner – 5
[On for Henderson ’66] Was needed at the breakdown and performed admirably.
Chris Henry – 6
[On for O’Brien ’66] Zealously cramped Italy’s style in the closing stages. Huge carry off the back of another poor Italian lineout. Relieved pressure.
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