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11th Feb 2017

TWITTER: Fans react as Ireland lead Italy 28-10 at half-time

Carl Kinsella

Ireland are seeking to exorcise the ghosts of last week’s defeat to Scotland in Rome, and at half-time in Rome it’s fair to say they’re on course to do just that.

An early try from Keith Earls was converted by Paddy Jackson, and even though Ireland contrived to gift three points straight back to Italy after a silly offside, it wasn’t long before the deficit was widened further.

CJ stander made it two tries in the opening 20 minutes for Ireland and Jackson dutifully converted once more, bringing the score to 14.3.

Earls then added to his tally with a second try, impressively converted from the touchline once more by Paddy Jackson.

Italy narrowed the gap with a converted penalty try on the half hour mark, but Ireland still looked to be the better side by some distance.

The dominance was borne out just moments later when CJ Stander crossed the try-line for the second time, winning Ireland a bonus point in the process. Paddy Jackson made it four-for-four with his kicks, and Ireland led by 28-10.