Ireland honored its quest for a new Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament by celebrating Italy (36-0) on Sunday in Dublin, displaying in front of its audience the same omnipotence as against the French in Marseille as an opening. The decor has changed, some of the players too (6 changes in the starting XV), but the outgoing champions and big favorites for the 2024 edition offered an almost identical spectacle, with conquering forwards and wingers in majesty, Calvin Nash and James Lowe.
The latter, named man of the match, “looked very strong”, but “I think our scrum was man of the match, to be honest”, noted coach Andy Farrell. “It was a great weapon and we also confirmed our performance on the sidelines from last week.” After crushing the Blues at the Vélodrome (38-17), the team in the green jersey raced in the lead from start to finish, facing the Italians who were nevertheless valiant, but too limited and already overwhelmed by three attempts at mid -time (19-0).
Ireland added three in the second half to win the offensive bonus, as in France, and strengthen their first place after two days with ten points, two more than their English runner-up. The trip to Twickenham on the 4th day, March 9, already almost looks like a title final. This should be, in any case, the main obstacle to achieving a second Grand Slam in a row, something no team has achieved since the transition to six nations in 2000. In the meantime, Ireland continued without a hitch its redemption of the post-World Cup, with Jack Crowley as the assured successor to Johnny Sexton at the opening.
Two-Faced Crowley
At the age of 24, the No.10 from Munster (11th selection) offered two faces: skillful and decisive with the ball in hand, clumsy with the ball at his feet. He launched the offensive festival with his first international try (7th, 5-0), well served by his club teammate Craig Casey, starting as scrum half. Then he initiated the action of the second try (Dan Sheehan in the 24th, 10-0) with a well-felt pass after contact under the arms of an opponent.
Facing the poles, on the other hand, he alternated the good (2 transformations) and above all and the less good (3 failed attempts), until being replaced in this task by Harry Byrne at the end of the match. The Irish didn’t need his boot to bring Italy to their knees, however. The forwards, although without Peter O’Mahony, Tadhg Furlong and Tadhg Beirne, who were not selected on Sunday, took care of it. Among them, hooker Dan Sheehan broke the screen with two tries, one in each period. He was joined on the scoreboard by third line Jack Conan (37th, 17-0), at the conclusion after a series of “picks and goes” which drained the Italian defense.
The Azzurri will have to wait longer to bring back a first victory in the Tournament from Ireland. The red lantern has two weeks to recharge the batteries before a new summit on February 25 in France. Ireland is “perhaps the best team in the world”, but Italy was “very far” from its usual level, “that’s what displeases me the most”, coach Gonzalo commented on Sky Sports . Quesada. “The important thing is to see the team’s reaction after such a defeat.” Ireland remains at home in two weeks to host Wales.