Italy v Ireland – Round Two – 6 Nations
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
For a team that ‘never wins away’ (2021 the last time!), Ireland rewrote the book. A comprehensive victory left them overjoyed and the hosts stunned.
All inside the first minute: a turnover, a Dannah O’Brien kick to touch, a TMO intervention and a yellow for Valeria Fedrighi for a not very high tackle.
In the second minute it was an Irish catch-and-drive, several thrusts at the line, then the ball flung wide for Aoife Dalton to score. We get our money’s worth. O’Brien potted an excellent conversion from near the back of the stand. 0-7
The Irish stayed in charge as they turned Italian possession over, and Aoife Wafer made the first of her destructive charges; she was there to act as the scrum-half link too.
At last better news came for the Azzurre: the yellow card remained yellow. They wanted to play fast (at least, at this stage). The midfield showed dextrous hands, but two subsequent loose passes showed the fault-lines.
The ball they coughed up turned into a second Irish try. Eve Higgins made a great break through the middle to feed Anna McGann who had the space to run round under the sticks. 0-14
That was two goals while a player up.
It took Sofia Stefan seven minutes to hoist her first box-kick. Scott Bemand had warned his players about that ploy, but It gained ground and led to Italy’s first period of domination. A steady scrum allowed Stefan to pick and run right to the line. Aoibheann Reilly was deceived by a tiny show-and-go.
Attacks from the base of the scrum have been fruitful in recent rounds; defence coaches will have to take another look. 5-14
The Azzurre came again, a movement breaking down only when Beatrice Rigoni passed into touch, the second time a winger was deprived through inaccuracy.
On 20 minutes a sudden turnover brought Ireland their third try. Italy’s back-line was more than dog-legged; Higgins strode through the gap, and Amee-Leigh Costigan had the pace and nous to get outside her opponent. 5-21
Now we saw the Irish at their dominant best. They controlled possession and the red zone. In the end a neat passing movement on the right allowed McGann to squeeze in for her second and ensure the bonus point early in proceedings. 5-28
It was a relief seeing Aura Muzzo able to reappear after treatment.
As the break approached, the Azzurre had another chance to close the gap. The forwards pressed to the line, but once again a promising position couldn’t be exploited. That had been their tale of woe.
Half-time: Italy 5 Ireland 28
Italy’s recycling was laboured. Their dangerous backs needed quick ball, but the forwards couldn’t provide it. Stefan continued her slow-paced box-kicks. With Rigoni always looking to do something special on the ball, it rarely found its way out wide.
An Irish obstruction gave them another chance close in, but once more a fumble followed.
On 51 minutes Bemand was confident enough to remove Wafer from the action. She has the unusual ability to play in two different parts of the field at the same time – or so it seems.
It made no difference to Ireland’s progress. Linda Djougang claimed the fifth try, as Italy racked up penalties and conceded territory. 5-35
We had our first lengthy break as replacements came on in two batches, then Ella Goldsmith had to adjudicate a high tackle by Djougang. Her verdict: yellow and crossed arms. Yesterday’s games had been unnaturally free from these infringements; this was our second card today.
At once Italy ran the ball down the line and knocked it on. Djougang was reprieved, like Fedrighi, and Italy’s fortunes didn’t change. Alyssa D’Inca had to retire with a leg injury, and Emily Lane, now at No 9, made a neat break to put the visitors on the front foot again. Brittany Hogan drove through and popped a scoring offload up to Dorothy Wall. 5-40
There was an intriguing moment when Rigoni powered in on an angle and was brought down just short, with her back to the line. From there she reached the ball over her shoulder and placed it beyond the line. Time to dig deep into the law-book. She did release the ball, but… “There was no ruck”, declared the TMO, so the try stood. Quick thinking by the mercurial centre. 12-40
But Italy went on crumbling at the other end. Hogan took advantage of another penalty to tap and burst over. 12-47
One minute to go, and Ireland had options. What would they do? Answer: score another lovely try through McGann, who completed her hat-trick behind the posts. This was the final indicator of the New Ireland that found its feet in Vancouver with the famous win over the world champions.
Result: Italy 12 Ireland 54
Player of the Match: Aoife Dalton
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)
Teams
Italy
15 Granzotto 14 Muzzo 13 Sillari 12 Rigoni 11 D’Inca 10 Stevanin 9 Stefan 1 Turani 2 Vecchini 3 Maris 4 Fedrighi 5 Duca 6 Tounesi 7 Sgorbini 8 Giordano (captain)
16 Gurioli 17 Zanette 18 Seye 19 Veronese 20 Ranuccini 21 Bitonci 22 Rannini 23 Capomaggi
Ireland
15 Flood 14 McGann 13 Dalton 12 Higgins 11 Costigan 10 O’Brien 9 Reilly 1 O’Dowd 2 N. Jones 3 Djougang 4 Campbell 5 Tuite 6 McMahon (captain) 7 King 8 Wafer
16 Moloney 17 McCarthy 18 Haney 19 Moore 20 Wall 21 Hogan 22 Lane 23 Breen
Afterthoughts
Fabio Roselli made more changes to his side than anyone bar John Mitchell. The bonus was seeing the return of the captain Elisa Giordano and Michela Sillari. But the overall performance leaves large question-marks hanging over the squad.
The last time this match was played in Parma (2023) the Azzurre won 24-7. Today errors and shortcomings piled up. Fabio Rodelli has a heap of work to do.
Pre-match Scott Bemand had no doubt: Italy were better structured and coached than they were in the past. By the end, he may have adjusted his opinion slightly.
The contrast with his team was extreme. They were buoyant and resilient. Where Italian forwards weren’t able to link in with their backs without making simple errors, the Irish played as a cohesive unit. Their strength is such that Wall and Hogan had to wait their turn on the bench. When they did arrive, they made an immediate impact.
O’Brien had a great game. Her deep kicks kept finding grass, bouncing unkindly for defenders. It would certainly help if she had a second kicker near her to vary angles and options, but her place- kicking returned to its normal high standard.
Ball-presentation was one poor feature for the Azzurre; that’s a basic matter. Fitness and skill- levels both need improving, but they can’t be sorted overnight. Will a fortnight be long enough? For the moment they sit bottom of the class.
Table in brief
W Pts
England 2 10
France 2 9
Ireland 1 5
Scotland 1 4
Wales 0 1
Italy 0 0
