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Day 2: Ireland – Italy summary (2024)
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(France TV)
Severely beaten by the English title holders for their entry into the Tournament, Nanni Raineri’s players raised the bar by dominating the Irish (27-21) on Sunday in Dublin.
The clash between Italy and Ireland was an opportunity for one or the other to switch into a positive spiral, and to erase the respective defeats against England and France at the opening of the Six Nations Tournament . Despite two failed starts to the period where they were dominated territorially, and conceded a yellow card (8th), it is the Transalpines who leave Dublin with victory in their pocket (27-21), this Sunday March 31.
A lesson in pragmatism
To get rid of a very playful Clover XV, but clumsy when approaching the linesNanni Raineri’s players were able to brace themselves in defense, cracking three times (8th, 62nd, 78th) despite the multiple green waves galvanized by the 6,500 spectators present (record for a women’s rugby match in Ireland) .
If Scott Bemand’s players leave Dublin with regrets full of crampons, the Italians above all showed great pragmatism, leaving with points from each foray into the opposing 22. Trailing, they first reacted by sending Vittoria Vecchini behind the line, well protected by a carried ball initiated after a penalty (25th, 7-5). Before doubling down on a similar phase of play, where this time they favored wide play, an initiative validated by a dive from Valeria Fedrighi flush with a ruck (33rd, 7-12). Vittoria Vechinni, again (56th, 7-22), then Aura Muzzo (68th, 14-27) then ensured a sufficient lead.
To avoid another wooden spoon, Ireland will have every interest in winning against Wales, who they welcome to Virgin Media Park on April 13. Italy will try to continue against the XV of France at Jean-Bouin the next day.