Ireland, which had chosen to rest several executives, was scared for a long time against Italy, but ended up winning (34-20) in Rome, during the 3rd day of the Tournament.
It was difficult to get, but it’s a real coup that Ireland managed! By winning (34-20) after a close match, marked by a host of tries (7 in total), the XV of Clover won, Saturday, February 25, against Italy, its third victory bonus from the Tournament and therefore remains undefeated. All this while leaving some executives at rest (Sexton was in the stands, Murray only entered at the end of the match). More than ever, Andy Farrell’s players are moving towards a potential Grand Slam and, a few months before the World Cup, mark the spirits a little more with each outing.
2nd minute: a flying start for Ireland
Against Italy, the XV of Clover scored for the third time in the Tournament its first try in the first ten minutes (3e minute against Wales, 9e minute against France). Served by his mischief and a touch of naivety on the part of the Italian defense, Bundee Aki mobilized two defenders on the closed side and stretched his arms to shift his winger James Lowe along the sidelines. The latter perfectly fixed the last defender to offer the test to another James, Ryan.
7th minute: Cannone and Varney validate the Italian occupation
The reaction of Ange Capuozzo’s teammates was immediate. Rather clean in conquest, they confiscated the ball before finding the fault thanks to the power and vivacity of the third center line Lorenzo Cannone. Came to create the surplus in the back lines, he was perfectly served by Paolo Garbisi with a jump pass, sailed in the defense before being stopped 5 m from the in-goal line. His scrum half Stephen Varney took the opportunity to pick up the ball and dive to score. A transformed test which allowed his people to take the advantage.
13th minute: Hugo Keenan as a tightrope walker
No time to breathe, the actions and the tests follow one another at a maddening pace. Deprived of balls (60% Italian possession at the quarter of an hour of play), Ireland showed off their pragmatism. Coming out of a controlled touch, the forwards faked the ball carried and sent the ball to the wing. Thanks to a superb stint in the footsteps of Mack Hansen, Bundee Aki – again – pierced the defense and found his back Hugo Keenan. As a tightrope walker, he resists two tackles to register the second Irish try under the posts.
20th minute: an assassin counter and Bundee Aki at the finish
Failing to have the ball, the teammates of Jonathan Sexton – left to rest for this match – took great pleasure in sanctioning the slightest Italian error. The flair of James Lowe allowed them to intercept a telephoned pass from the Italian number 10. After several playing times, the ball returned to the wing of Lowe, who found the very available Bundee Aki inside. Ireland then takes to the open sea (+9).
35th minute: lethal speed in the rucks
The Irish forwards then slowly took the lead over their counterparts, especially in the rucks, allowing the hinge to get the balls out faster and faster. What to defend against. After a second penalty kicked in and defenders concentrated at the bottom of the posts, Casey ejected the ball towards the wing, Hansen only having to finish.
41st minute: Pierre Bruno breaks the Irish momentum
The green wave does not cease. Less than two minutes earlier, Mack Hansen even came close to a double, but let the ball slip away, hampered by a good Italian return. On the last action before the break, Pierre Bruno has the good idea to go up to the point to cut the Irish passing lines… he even steals the ball, passed blindly by Bundee Aki and rushes into the in-goal . Italy returns to 7 short lengths before the second act.
71st minute: the double for Hansen and the victory for the XV of Clover
Barely returned, the experienced Irish number 9 Conor Murray buried the last Italian hopes. Following a long streak with his forwards, thanks to which the XV of Clover swept the width of the field, grazing meter by meter, he finally committed level with a ruck, also passing his arms to transmit the balloon to Mack Hansen, who only had to conclude!