Ireland Bounce Back To Winning Ways

Ireland tallied up nine tries – the most they have ever scored in a Six Nations match – as they put injury-hit Italy to the sword in a one-sided contest at the Aviva Stadium. Munster’s CJ Stander crossed for his first Irish try while Donnacha Ryan was named man of the match.

Joe Schmidt's men ended their winless run in 2016 with a comfortable 58-15 victory, their four first half tries coming from Andrew Trimble, Jack McGrath, Stander and Jamie Heaslip. 

Number 8 Heaslip completed his brace early in the second period, with Jared Payne and replacements Sean Cronin, Ian Madigan and Fergus McFadden also crossing the whitewash for the hosts.

Heaslip's first effort just before half-time was the pick of the scores, a sumptuous offload from Munster’s Simon Zebo launching a sparkling move down the right wing with Payne, Jonathan Sexton, Trimble and McFadden all handling the ball before Ireland's vice-captain crashed over past two despairing defenders.

Trailing 25-3 at the interval, the Azzurri enjoyed a better share of possession and territory in the closing half-an-hour and tries out wide from full-back David Odiete and Leonardo Sarto did put a bit more respectability on the scoreboard.

However, Ireland were far too strong on a day when they eclipsed their eight-try haul from the 2007 Championship win over Italy in Rome. It is the most tries they have scored in a Test match since their nine-try success against Russia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Munster and Ireland's Donnacha Ryan receives his man of the match award from John Flynn.