Ireland have named their strongest possible line-up as they seek to move on to France and the chance to top Pool D, a significant prize given that the victors would probably avoid defending champions New Zealand in the quarter-finals.
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24′ – Ireland 10-6 Italy – The Italy fly-half bisects the posts with his penalty and the score is 10-6. Francesco Minto topped the tackle charts with 16 too.
Ireland were expected to win comfortably but Italy played as though they were affronted by the pre-match expectations that were backed up by a crowd that sat back in the belief that Ireland would entertain them. Athletic is a fitting word do describe Henderson’s performance in a game at the Olympic Stadium.
Yesterday before the squad headed to their new base in Celtic Manor, it was left to Johnny Sexton to divulge why Ireland found the going so tough against Italy on Sunday.
O’Connell, who has made light of his age and the persistent injuries that blighted large parts of his career, said the Irish would suffer if they give up the ball as they much as they did against Italy.
Another iconic English sporting venue and another Irish takeover as, a week after they overran Wembley, the area surrounding the Olympic Stadium was annexed by the team that now looks like being the best supported heading into the knockout stages. First, there was the gent donned in a green suit, the material’s pattern featuring many a clover.
Stuart Lancaster rebuilt a damaged culture after the 2011 Rugby World Cup debacle, but the England coach erred terribly in chucking nine months of investment in Ford to one side when choosing Farrell against Wales nine days ago.
Midway through the half, Italy had a lineout near their try-line and Ireland lock Iain Henderson stole it at the front.
Things did not go Ireland’s way in a scratchy first-half. Doesn’t seem such a great idea now after the pair’s standout performances against Italy. Surely there’s something more worthwhile and relevant to focus on in the build-up. Italy string together a few phases and although they can’t make the break, they draw the penalty for hands in the ruck.
MISS. Italy’s replacement first-five Carlo Canna steps up to the fifty metre kick and gets it 45.
4 – The number of lineouts stolen by Ireland.
Under pressure, Ireland again sprang into life as Sexton played an inside pass to Robbie Henshaw, whose quick offload put Keith Earls over the line for the opening try, which Sexton converted for a 10-3 lead.
Either way, an even tougher test will come on Sunday with France lying in wait and Sexton more so than anyone knows the scale of that task.
Yellow card: O’Mahony (72).
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Italy: 15-Luke McLean, 14-Leonardo Sarto, 13-Michele Capagnaro, 12-Gonzalo Garcia, 11-Giovanbattista Venditti, 10-Tommaso Allan, 9-Edoardo Gori, 8-Sergio Parisse, 7-Simone Favaro, 6-Francesco Minto, 5-Josh Furno, 4-Quintin Geldenhuys, 3-Lorenzo Cittadini, 2-Andrea Manici, 1-Matias Aguero.
