That's more like it
After falling flat against Scotland, Ireland kickstarted their Six Nations campaign today by annihilating Italy. Two converted tries in the opening twenty minutes from Keith Earls and CJ Stander has us on our way.
The Italians had very little in response. Earls and Stander both went over again before half time to get a bonus point. CJ finished with a hat trick. Craig Gilroy came off the bench to grab himself a hat trick too in a game which was ultimately over after 20 minutes.
The Irish fans seemed pretty pleased with the performance. There was some overall praise for the team with Stander (having picked up the CJ Stander Man of the Match award) and Gilroy both being singled out
As poor as Italy were that was really good from Ireland.Backrow,PJ, Earls, Zebo,Ringrose,,Gilroy=serious shifts.Bench added 🚀🚀🚀
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) February 11, 2017
CJ Stander for President. Of everything. #IREvITA
— Jenny Daly (@jennybdaly) February 11, 2017
Since losing here four years ago, Ireland's average margin of victory against Italy in the Six Nations has been 35 points. 32 ahead now.
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) February 11, 2017
The 'Man of the Match' award is to be officially renamed 'The Stander'. #ITAvIRE #6nations
— Colin Moran (@CollieCoaching) February 11, 2017
Clinical by Ireland today. 9 converted tries. Paddy Jackson superb. Will he keep his place for France ?
— Stephen Watson (@winkerwatson1) February 11, 2017
@paddyjackson10 equaling @JonnyWilkinson record for the most conversions in a 6Nations Match #IREvITA #winning #sixnations #6nations 🇨🇮☘
— Kimberley Irwin (@kimirwin89) February 11, 2017
STATS📈
Ireland with
✔️ 9 tries
✔️104 tackes made
✔️9 missed
✔️13 line breaks
✔️9/9 lineout
✔️14 offloads#ITAvIRE #TeamOfUs #rugbyunited— #rugbyireland (@RugbyIre) February 11, 2017
Conor O'Shea hopes this day will be used in about four years to show how far Italy have come. Personally, I think he's mad to go near them.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) February 11, 2017
There are easier gigs, Conor O'Shea.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) February 11, 2017
Craig Gilroy - first hat-trick by a replacement in a tier 1 test Since Deon Kayser for @Springboks against @Federugby in June 1999.
— Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) February 11, 2017
Surely, Georgia deserve their chance in Six Nations. They would hardly be losing by 53 points
— Mark Gallagher (@bailemg) February 11, 2017
