It’s fair to say that relief was the overriding feeling for Ireland as they secured a 48-10 win over Italy to finally kick their Six Nations campaign into gear. Successive defeats to Wales and France had left Ireland gasping for air in the Championship table, but the victory against Italy has given Andy Farrell’s side a bit of a boost as they seek to save face in the competition.
It was a comfortable run-out for Ireland in Rome – just what was needed on the back of their two Six Nations defeats. Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Will Connors bagged first-half tries to establish a firm grip on the game for the visitors, before Keith Earls, CJ Stander and Connors again crossed the line in the second half.
Victory over Italy is almost a given for the other five Six Nations teams, but on the back of Ireland’s struggles in the opening two matches, the fact that Italy did not make life overly difficult for them was a relief for Farrell and his team. Had they failed to win in Rome then it would have been well and truly disastrous, but as it is, Ireland have a chance to restore some pride before the tournament is out.
It’s been a somewhat strange tournament, and while Ireland were only third favourites with the bet exchange to win the Six Nations before it got underway, their results have been far from what their loyal fanbase expected heading into the tournament. The defeat against Wales was arguably a case of bad luck after Peter O’Mahony was handed an early red card, but on the other hand you could argue that indiscipline cost them. The home loss to France was a closely fought affair, and perhaps had Ireland gone into the game off the back of a morale-boosting victory in Cardiff, they might have ended up on the right side of the scoreline.
It’s been fine margins that have cost Ireland, and that’s why there is a greater sense of positivity going into the remaining two games of the competition. While it’s a case of damage limitation, with Wales and France seeking to battle it out for the title, Ireland can still leave their supporters happy by producing some good displays between now and the end of the campaign.
They take on Scotland at Murrayfield on March 14th, in a game that is difficult to call. Scotland’s game with France was postponed due to the number of coronavirus cases in the French squad, and as a result it’s hard to know what state they’ll be in following the disappointment of losing to Wales in a match they arguably should have won. Ireland will seek to take advantage, and if they can show the kind of scoring prowess they did against Italy, then Scotland will struggle to cope.
Ireland close out the Six Nations campaign against England in Dublin the following Saturday. This is where Farrell and his men have a real chance to restore pride. There’s nothing Ireland rugby fans love more than scoring a win over England, and it would leave a sweet taste at the end of the tournament if they could put Eddie Jones’ struggling side to the sword at the Aviva Stadium.
While it certainly hasn’t been the Six Nations campaign so far that many were hoping for, there is still a chance for Ireland to salvage some credibility before the tournament winds down.
