SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 4 hrs 17 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Andy Farrell praises Ireland's "top class" attitude in Italy win

:Headline: Andy Farrell praises Ireland's 'top class' attitude in Italy win: ID:437081: from db_amp
The Irish had a fortnight to stew on their worst start to a Six Nations tournament and responded emphatically.

Andy Farrell hailed the “top class” attitude of his players after Ireland kick-started their Guinness Six Nations campaign with a resounding 48-10 bonus-point success over Italy.

A brace from Will Connors, plus tries from Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan, CJ Stander and Keith Earls helped the Irish bounce back from successive defeats to Wales and France.

Ireland had a fortnight to stew on their worst start to a Six Nations tournament and responded emphatically, albeit against the championship’s weakest team, to secure a first away win of the Farrell era.

“I am really proud of the players. They’ve shown real character over the last couple of weeks,” said head coach Farrell.

“It’s not nice coming off two losses and waiting a couple of weeks to try and put that right.

“We talked about a test of character and they have stayed strong, they have stayed very united. As a group, I think they have all pulled together and showed their leadership in different ways.

“I thought we earned the right to score some points with the way that we approached the game in the first half. I thought our attitude was top class.

Will Connors scored two of Ireland’s six tries (Marco Iacobucci/PA)

“We approached the game in the right manner, we paid the game the right respect and Italy the right respect, and I thought we punched away really well in the first half and the game opened up in the end.”

Ireland’s dominant victory in the Stadio Olimpico sunshine could have been by a far greater margin had they not had a trio of tries – scored by Iain Henderson, Stander and James Lowe – disallowed.

Captain Johnny Sexton, returning from a head injury, added all six conversions and two penalties as the mounting pressure on Farrell was temporarily eased.

The influential fly-half was delighted to record an overdue victory.

“I thought we were outstanding. Our intent and our concentration and how clinical we were at times was very pleasing,” said Sexton.

“The stuff we have been learning in training finally came out in glimpses today, so I am happy for everyone.”

Defeat for Italy was a 30th in succession in the championship, dating back six years to a victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Fly-half Paolo Garbisi conjured a moment of magic to set up a consolation try for Johan Meyer late in the first half and kicked a further five points but it was an all-too familiar story for the hosts.

Franco Smith’s men have now shipped 139 points and 19 tries in three successive losses and their cause was not helped by quickfire second-half yellow cards for replacement Giosue Zilocchi and captain Luca Bigi.

The South African rued the indiscipline and admits there was a gulf in class between the teams.

“After such a defeat you have to understand what to improve, but you have to give credit to Ireland, who were under pressure after two defeats and came to Rome with great determination,” said Smith.

“In Italy, at this level, many boys have to learn to play and be physically ready. They are proud and work hard, they will recover.

Franco Smith’s Italy suffered another defeat (Adam Davy/PA)

“They must have experience on the pitch, every week we try to improve. If all of Italy asks us to win a game, we always try, with heart and preparation.

“But for now they are better than us, even if we are doing everything to become like Ireland.

“These defeats burn. It is hard, but we need everyone’s support to take a further step.

“Unfortunately we made many mistakes and today the numerical inferiority has cost us dearly against a superior team “.

amp_article__437081 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-02-27 18:39:03:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 10:35:16 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Andy Farrell

Click here for more stories about Ireland

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .