Ireland far from perfect in five-try Italian win

The bonus-point win is what Ireland came for, and the Grand Slam dreams will live for a fortnight at least.

With six changes made to this team from the resounding win against France earlier this month, Ireland's ability to maintain continuity and cohesion was probably the biggest question on people’s lips coming into this game – no disrespect to Italy.

And while the attack produced in flashes and they scored five excellent tries in the 34-20 victory, their ability to defend when things get fast and loose remains unanswered, and will be further tested by Scotland.

It says a lot about how far Italy have come that when Ross Byrne kicked a penalty on 65 minutes to send Ireland back into a seven-point lead at 27-20, it felt like the right call.

On multiple occasions, particularly in the opening half, it looked like Ireland had landed the knock-out punch on the visitors, and in years gone by it would have been enough. But Kieran Crowley’s side seem to play with little to no short-term memory.

Just as they did against France, they caused Ireland huge problems defensively. Garry Ringrose was sorely missed in Ireland’s backline, with Bundee Aki and Stuart McCloskey’s partnership exposed at times by the lively Italian runners.

Aki, in particular, had a day of ups and downs. He was central to almost every positive Irish attack in the opening half, but on the other side of the ball he missed tackles and misjudged reads, before an intercepted pass on the stroke of half time brought Italy right back into the game at 24-17.

On their first Six Nations starts, Craig Casey and Ross Byrne looked solid, without being spectacular. Casey brought his usual energy and mixed it with composure, particularly at the start of the second half when it was