Ireland’s replacements saw them kick on to a 20-13 comeback victory over Italy in Round 2 of the Six Nations, avoiding what would have been a first ever loss to the Azzurri in Dublin.
After a woeful first-half display, which saw Ireland go in 10-5 behind at half-time following a try from Italy hooker Giacomo Nicotera and the boot of Paolo Garbisi (one penalty, one conversion), the second half saw a response.
Following a first-half Jamie Osborne try, Jack Conan and Robert Baloucoune scored second-half efforts for the lead – the latter score coming after noticeable impact provided by Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park and Tadhg Beirne.
Once Italy narrowed the deficit back to seven points via Garbisi’s boot, Menencello spurned a huge chance with four minutes to play for a leveller, knocking on after an awkward bounce by the posts as the Irish held on.
A scrum penalty saw Ireland into the corner for an early chance, but on penalty advantage Prendergast cheaply kicked possession away with the hosts looking threatening. Going back to the penalty, Dan Sheehan attempted to leap for a try but was penalised for dangerous play (jumping into a tackle).
Down the other end, Tommaso Menoncello looked dangerous down the right wing, but in the 11th minute wing Lynagh was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on which denied a line-break opportunity.
Ireland eventually took advantage via Osborne’s try in the 17th minute, scoring from a superb Stuart McCloskey offload.
Jamie Osborne scored Ireland’s first try after a stunning Stuart McCloskey offload
Prendergast produced a shocking close-range conversion miss, and Italy soon narrowed the deficit to just two points when Garbisi registered a penalty after debutant back-row Cormac Izuchukwu was penalised at the lineout.
Casey was sin-binned in the 32nd minute for a high tackle on Niccolo Cannone, with the visitors taking immediate advantage when Nicotera broke off a maul to dive over past a stationary Prendergast.
Craig Casey was harshly sin-binned in the opening half for a high tackle
Giacomo Nicotera forced his way past Sam Prendergast for Italy’s opening try
Garbisi converted nicely from out wide for 10-5, and the Azzurri soon forced a confidence-boosting scrum penalty within their half.
Nicotera’s try was reward for Italy, who had proven the better side in the first half
For all that Italy put on more big pressure on Ireland before the end of the half, the hosts held on to go in at half-time five points behind – still the first time the Azzurri have ever led the Irish in a Test in Dublin after the opening 40 minutes.
Three minutes into the second period, Ireland hit back as Conan forced his way over from close range for a crucial try. Another woeful Prendergast conversion miss left the score 10-10.
Ireland’s Jack Conan scored early in the second half, but the try only brought them level as Prendergast missed his second close-range conversion
Izuchukwu produced a vital lineout steal to deny Italy soon after, but Lynagh then got over in the corner for Italy’s second try after a wonderful Menoncello break – only for the try to be ruled out when a TMO proved the final pass had been forward.
Louis Lynagh appeared to have scored Italy’s second try for another lead, but it was ruled out for a forward pass
Crowley emerged for Prendergast and Ireland immediately came alive in attack, scoring within two minutes through Balacoune after extended phases of flowing attack.
The Munster fly-half converted for a 20-10 lead, but another Italy scrum penalty saw them narrow the difference back to a single score through the boot of Garbisi.
Baloucoune’s try came two minutes after Crowley’s arrival, as the home side’s attack clicked into gear
A hectic end to the contest then saw Italy emerge with momentum again, but they failed to score despite sustained spells of possession – Menoncello’s chance after a perfect Garbisi chip the closest they came.
Instead, Ireland had a final opportunity to claim a fourth try for the bonus-point when James Lowe intercepted and Menencello infringed in his 22. But Crowley – who had produced a superb cameo to that point – kicked the final penalty dead to spurn the chance.
Farrell: Crowley played outstandingly well
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said:
“I thought Jack [Crowley] played outstandingly well when he came on.
“I’m actually gutted for him [with the penalty at the end] because he wouldn’t normally do that. There are a few things to check there, as far as offside and jumping up and down in his eyeline for the kick.
“It was a bit of a shank but that wouldn’t be the overriding thought I took from Jack’s game. I thought he was outstanding when he came on.
The introduction of Jack Crowley for Prendergast saw a huge shift in Ireland’s attacking play
“Obviously there’s too many errors within our game at certain times. But the character shown to come back and have the courage to play the type of rugby that we did at times was very encouraging.
“That’s the bigger picture stuff, the character, because we were playing against a very good Italian side that was never going to go away.
“But it was more than that. They were trying to batter the door down at the end. The resilience we showed to win the game was fantastic to see.”
What’s next?
Ireland next face England in Round 3 of the Six Nations on Saturday February 21 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (2.10pm kick-off).
Italy travel to face France at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille for their third Six Nations clash on Sunday February 22 (3.10pm kick-off).
