The XV of Clover struggled against a tough Squadra, Saturday in Rome, during the 3rd day of the 6 nations tournament (34-20).
We do not beat Ireland by sending the game to everything. But we can make it damn doubt. The Irish, under constant threat, still managed, on Saturday February 25, to chain a third victory in as many games in this edition (34-20), against Italy, and remain in the race for a third Grand Slam since the Tournament grew to six teams. With three losses, Italy is heading straight for a new wooden spoon. But the progress is there, evident.
The first minutes, with a try refused from the 2nd minute and another, very valid, during the next, however raised fears of an afternoon in hell for the Squadra. But this team no longer has much to do with its sinister predecessors and did not collapse at the first gust of wind.
The Italian resource
On the contrary, she put the work back on the job and also crossed the line by Varney (7-5, 12th). But between piercing the curtain once and robbing the bank there is a step. The green Cerberus took care of it. Two other Italian incursions were thus irreparably punished by two interceptions concluded in the opposing in-goal, by Keenan (13th) and Aki (20th).
But, even deprived of Sexton at the opening, the world numbers 1 also knew how to return to their fundamentals at the end of the first period: succession of “pick and go” and test at the end of the line to drive the point home (35th). Except that Capuozzo’s partners did not let themselves be put in a box without a fight and, on a backlash from Bruno, they managed to return to the locker room on a mark that left the field of possibilities open (17-24).
The Irish finish spirit
A penalty from Garbisi even made people believe, for a time, in the unthinkable feat (20-24, 56th). But, even wavering, Ireland remains Ireland. Without shining, she closed ranks in defense to erase her unworthy 20 missed tackles in the first period and knew how to place the banderillas who kept the danger away, by a penalty from Byrne (64th), first, then by Hansen who scored trying relief (71st).
Bravache, Italy will have had the merit of playing its game to the end but it still lacks this experience and this physical body which would make it pass in the camp of the winners. A camp that Ireland has not left for nine games in a row. And that she would see herself busy for two more games, against Scotland and England, to end this Tournament with a Grand Slam.