Five takeaways from Italy v Ireland

Adam Kyriacou

Following a 26-16 win for Ireland over Italy in their Six Nations encounter, here’s our five takeaways from the fixture in Rome on Sunday.

Errors from Ireland a concern: If the Irish do not sharpen up their game in a fortnight they are likely to be in for a tough match against France in Dublin. The following week they travel to Cardiff to face Wales where another error-strewn performance like this will cost them dear. The line-out was a mess as they ended with a worrying 75% success rate while they made 16 handling errors as well which killed any hopes of a big win at the Stadio Olimpico. That latter statistic will be the most concerning for Ireland’s coaches with confidence visibly low at the moment.

Tito Tebaldi our man-of-the-match: The busy Benetton scrum-half was the standout performer in Rome as his return to the Italian team made such a difference to their game. Tebaldi was the catalyst for all that was good about the Azzurri showing as he controlled the tempo and took the right decision the vast majority of the time, with his kicking and running game keeping Ireland on their toes throughout. An excellent comeback from the 31-year-old.

Italy showed they can do it without Sergio Parisse: It has happened before when captain Parisse was absent due to injury and once again the Azzurri stepped up to the plate while the veteran watched on from the sideline. All players to a man stood tall throughout the side and it’s a major positive for the future of Conor O’Shea’s team that being without the legendary number eight had no negative effect on their game. They need a strong senior group.

Joe Schmidt will be livid: There is no glossing over this performance and no one would have predicted Italy to have finished within 10 points of holders Ireland on Sunday. Yes they got the bonus-point from this victory but the bookmakers had them to win at a canter in Rome. It was anything but a walkabout for the team in green though as even with a strong line-up on the field they looked a shadow of their 2018 selves. Coach Schmidt will no doubt do a detailed review of this showing and we’re afraid it won’t make for pretty viewing. Lots to iron out before March 10.

Irish wings the bright sparks: On an error-ridden day it is always hard for those out wide to enjoy a positive performance. That;s not the case for Ireland here as both Jacob Stockdale and Keith Earls scored vital tries to get their side out of Rome with this bonus-point result. Stockdale is always a threat when given a sniff as his Test try-scoring record continues to impress while Earls is just Mr Reliable in either red or green. Two Irish positives here.