Joe Schmidt will be happy that Ireland won this game but that is where his happiness will probably end. He and Ireland are looking to be in contention at the business end of the World Cup but if performances like this one are replicated, Ireland will struggle in the Six Nations this year.
Ireland are a better team than they showed against Italy and were missing several world class players from the starting team for the game. They also came up against a team who were set up very well defensively and Ireland had to work very hard to break that defence down.
Certain aspects of the Irish performance will have pleased Joe Schmidt. He had a couple of 50/50 calls to make for this game and one of them in particular paid off in a big way. Mike Ross was left out of his club Leinster’s two previous game but Schmidt stuck with the tight head prop.
Traditionally Italy’s biggest strength has been in the scrum and without Cian Healy and doubts surrounding Ross, they would have fancied their chances in this area. Sadly for Italy and luckily for Ireland, the set piece was a major strength for Schmidt’s team.
Mike Ross completely dominated his opponent Matias Aguero. It is great news for Ireland that Ross is still able to perform at this level and with Marty Moore putting major pressure on him for the tight head position it means that Ireland have two very capable tight head props.
Jack McGrath struggled at times against Martin Castrogiovanni but Schmidt will be more than content with how his side’s scrum went. Ireland also had the better of Italy at lineout time with the rolling maul in particular being a strong point.
In a decision that surprised many, Ian Keatley got the nod at out half over Ian Madigan but the Munster number 10 put in a solid performance despite a shaky opening 15 minutes. His goal kicking was flawless and also executed three or four excellent kicks in behind the Italian defence.
Jonny Sexton will no doubt return for the French game but Keatley should take great confidence from his first Six Nations appearance. It will be a battle between Keatley and Madigan for who sits on the bench for the French game.
Outside of the set piece there was very little to celebrate about Ireland’s performance. Although they punched bigger holes in the Italian defence in the second half, centre pairing Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne can play better and should be retained for the next game.
The back three of Bowe, Kearney and Zebo, although industrious, never looked like breaking through the resolute Italian defence. Conor Murray deservedly got man of the match but needs to snipe around the rucks a bit more to keep opposition defences guessing.
Sean O’Brien’s dynamism in the back row was badly missed due to his hamstring strain in the warm up but Tommy O’Donnell did not let anybody down with his performance and his second half barnstorming try was richly deserved.
Ireland know they will have to up their levels greatly to compete with France in the next game but with Healy, Heaslip, Sexton and O’Brien all available for selection they have every chance of making it two from two in the 2015 Six Nations.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @johnnybkeogh. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Main Photo:
