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Italy have sucker-punched Ireland with two late tries in a first-half that Joe Schmidt's side had looked comfortable in if a little error-strewn.
Ireland, who were thrown a Guinness Six Nations lifeline with Wales' 21-13 defeat over England yesterday, arrived at the Stadio Olimpico knowing that a bonus win was more-or-less a must.
And after Quinn Roux and Jacob Stockdale had put the visitors in firm control in crossing the whitewash, Italy suddenly clicked into gear in the final ten minutes of the half with a little bit of help from a sloppy Irish defence.
First, Jayden Hayward left a rake of Irish arms grabbing at fresh air, as his surging run set the platform for Edoardo Padovani to cross in splendid isolation.
Italy get a quick overlap and score a try! 😳#ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/CBT9H70HXl
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 24, 2019
And if as that wasn't bad enough, Italy hit the front a minute before half time when the impressive Tito Tebaldi nipped in to steal the ball at an Irish ruck, before a punt up the field caused carnage in the Irish 22, when first Keith Earls and Rob Kearney were muscled out of affairs. Ireland looked to have done enough to keep the Italians at bay, but they quickly switched the play to the far side where Luca Morisi finished.
😳 😳 😳
Italy take the lead!#ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/lic9QROo9I— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 24, 2019
Italy lead 16-12 at the break!
