Ireland 36 - 6 Italy: Big-match players turn up to lead Irish into quarter-final

Knowing defeat against the Azzurri would send them home, the unbeaten Irish responded with a comprehensive victory which sees them conclude the group phase as Pool C winners ahead of second-placed Australia.

Keith Earls crossed twice in the second half to lift his total for the tournament to four, while captain Brian O’Driscoll scored a great try.

Winger Tommy Bowe was the unluckiest player on the pitch, having one legitimate touchdown disallowed and being refused a penalty try in the final throes of the game.

Ronan O’Gara celebrated his restoration as first choice fly-half by kicking 16 points in a display that will surely see him start against Wales.

Backed by a huge travelling support, many of Ireland’s big-game players delivered with Stephen Ferris and man of the match Sean O’Brien rampant, and Gordon D’Arcy giving his best performance for some time. The inclusion of Munster rookie Conor Murray also paid off, offering Ireland a real attacking threat at scrum-half.

Italy, hoping to reach the knockout stages for the first time, never really looked capable of causing an upset.

Adding a sinister element to the showdown was Leonardo Ghiraldini’s apparent eye-gouge attempt on Cian Healy, an incident missed by referee Jonathan Kaplan but one that will surely interest the citing commissioner.

Some of Italy’s play was borderline with most of their frustration seemingly directed at the brilliant Healy.

Much of the build-up had concentrated on Italy coach Nick Mallett’s claim that the Azzurri boasted a better front row. That dominance at the scrum failed to materialise and both sides enjoyed periods of superiority without ever taking full control.

Two early scrums saw Ireland hold firm while in open play they made all the running with Ferris, O’Brien, Rob Kearney and O’Gara making inroads.

O’Gara landed three points to reward their effort, only for Ireland’s scrum to concede a penalty converted by Mirco Bergamasco.

O’Gara and Bergamasco exchanged penalties, the latter coming after an Azzurri line-out catch and drive that took them to within inches of scoring.

Ghiraldini then made his apparent attempt at eye-gouging Healy, provoking a furious response from the Ireland prop.

Next Murray darted into space and Ireland were unfortunate to have a try disallowed for a forward pass.

Italy suffered a double setback when prop Martin Castrogiovanni limped off while O’Gara booted his third penalty. Ireland were playing all the rugby but were unable to pull clear of their determined opponents.

Bergamasco missed a penalty and then watched his brother Mauro land a series of punches on Healy before flying into Paul O’Connell.

Seven minutes into the second half, Ireland extended their lead to ten points as O’Gara kicked a penalty and converted a try by O’Driscoll.

Five minutes later and the second try arrived with D’Arcy showing strength to make the initial inroads.

Ferris was twice involved in the move, including fixing his man and popping the scoring pass to Earls. O’Gara added the conversion.

Kearney was denied by a try-saving tackle and when O’Gara was substituted, Jonathan Sexton accepted the responsibility by landing a penalty.

Italy rallied in the last ten minutes and pounded away at Ireland’s line, but most of the drama continued to occur at their own line.

Bowe fly-hacked the ball on but was tackled by winger Tommaso Benvenuti whilst diving for the ball. It should have been a penalty try but Kaplan said no.

Ireland still managed to cross once more with Andrew Trimble’s pass to Earls allowing the Munster winger to dive over with Sexton converting.

Scorers: Ireland – Tries: O’Driscoll, Earls 2; Pens: O’Gara 4, Sexton; Cons: O’Gara 2, Sexton. Italy – Pens: Bergamasco 2.

Ireland: Kearney; Bowe, O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Earls; O’Gara, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ferris, O’Brien, Heaslip. Replacements: Cronin for Best (53), Ryan for O’Connell (58), Sexton for O’Gara (67), Court for Healy (72), Leamy for Ferris (72), Reddan for Murray (73), Trimble.

Italy: Masi; Benvenuti, Canale, Garcia, Mirco Bergamasco; Orquera, Semenzato; Perugini, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Geldenhuys, Van Zyl, Zanni, Mauro Bergamasco, Parisse. Replacements: Lo Cicero for Castrogiovanni (34), Bocchino for Orquera (40), Derbyshire for Mauro Bergamasco (49), Gori for Semenzato (56), Bortolami for van Zyl (61), Ongaro for Ghiraldini (67).