Despite seven changes made in the starting group, the XV of the clover won on Saturday in Rome, against a team from Italy which however posed problems (34-20).
by Denis menétrier
Ireland has not been flamboyant, has even been jostled, but still remains in the race to make the Grand Colem in this 2023 edition of the Six Nations Tournament. The XV of the clover ended up winning, Saturday February 25 on the lawn of the Olympic Stadium in Rome, facing a team from Italy (20-34) which continues to surprise.
If the passion of the transaplines was not enough in front of the numbers a world, immensely favorite before this meeting, there was indeed a match. Even if the very first moments of the meeting have suggested the opposite. The Irish registered a first test (2ᵉ) by James Lowe – who will finally be canceled. A few seconds later, the same Lowe launched his captain, James Ryan, for a test this time validated (3ᵉ).
The duo was one of the holders aligned on February 11, during the slap inflicted on the XV of France (32-19) in Dublin. This afternoon, they were still there, despite the seven changes made by the coach in his starting team – some having been forced: Captain Jonathan Sexton was, for example, injured.
By turning its workforce against Italy, considered the lowest opponent of the competition, Andy Farrell wanted above all to gauge his replacements for the next World Cup (from September 8 to October 28 in France) , that Ireland aims to win.
fifteen points out of fifteen possible
The boss of the XV of the clover may have seen that some of his players still lack benchmarks. Because after their first test, her troops underwent the pressure of a Italy determined to prove for ten large minutes for ten minutes to prove that she is neither the beer or the scapegoat of the other selections in this tournament. The Nazionale thus reacted quickly thanks to a beautiful test by Stephen Varney (7ᵉ), which allowed it to temporarily take the advantage in the score.
⌚️ Pierre Bruno Sneaking in the interception try just in the Nick of Time for Italy Before the End of the First Hal… https://t.co/6kgquftqdg
– SixnationsRugby (@guinness six nations)
Enthusiastic offensively and daring – like recovery and test before the break of Pierre Bruno (40
In the second period, the XV of the clover has long broken its teeth on a valiant Italian defense and only scored more, thanks to the double of Hansen (71ᵉ). The defeat of Italy was sealed, even if it can boast of having stayed in contact with the score for a good part of the match.
Ireland, for its part, will not have produced “the eighty full minutes” sought by James Lowe. But the XV of the clover continues its way to the victory in this tournament of the Six Nations and took, after three games, fifteen points out of fifteen possible. He has two games left to make his third Grand Chelem after 2009 and 2018. For this, he will have to win in Scotland, the only other unbeaten team before his match against France on Sunday, March 12, then at home against England, March 18.