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.
Stats after 27mins.
CJ Stander: 14 carries
SOB: 10
Henshaw: 9Italy: 98 tackle attempts
Ireland: 17— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 11, 2017
Keith Earls is going to get a bonus point of his own at this rate… #ITAvIRE
— Hash Piperdy ⚡️ (@HashPiperdy) February 11, 2017
No man can hug that sideline better than Keith Earls
— Darragh Culhane (@DarraghCulhane) February 11, 2017
When you have Earls at 75/1 to score the most tries in the championship? keep going the way you're going Earlsie??? #ITAvIRE
— Sarah☄ (@SarahCleere) February 11, 2017
Well Italy's defence is clearly terrified because Keith Earls is cleary on fire #ITAvIRE
— Cathríona (@ItsHeffo) February 11, 2017
“Keith Earls, he loves a bit of Italy”
So said @patmccarry on last week’s #TheHardYards…#prescienthttps://t.co/0yKeA0H1XV
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 11, 2017
Keith Earls loves scoring against Italy
— Colm O'Donoghue (@ColmODonoghue) February 11, 2017
Earls and Stander singing anything you can do, I can do better #ITAvIRE
— Katie Dawson (@katiedawson23) February 11, 2017
Stander gets his second try and it's the first ever try bonus point in the Six Nations! #ITAvIRE
— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) February 11, 2017