Italy make Ireland fight all the way

IRELAND started and finished strongly but were made to work hard in between times by an Italy side that refused to give this game up as a lost cause.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

It came at a massive cost though with Marco Riccioni and Tomasso Menoncello picking up injuries that put their World Cup in doubt.

Meanwhile for Ireland there was the satisfaction of seeing Jack Crowley complete a composed night at the helm at fly-half which, as ever, could be a problem position if Johnny Sexton encounters injury problems at the World Cup.

Italy suffered early dislocation with No.8 Toa Halafihi injured in the warm-up and then Saracens prop Riccioni was helped off after 10 minutes with a serious looking knee injury. A big blow as Riccioni is the rock around which Italy’s scrum is built. An anxious wait beckons ahead of the World Cup.

Despite that they drew first blood with a penalty from Tomasso Allen – playing full-back after a run out at his preferred fly-half position against Scotland last week – but Ireland soon hit their groove and laid siege to the Italy line.

The Italians resisted stoutly but eventually Dave Kilcoyne forced his way over although Ireland might argue that Jack Conan was offside as he paved the way ahead of his prop. No matter referee Mathieu Reynal was convinced, and Crowley added the conversion.