Briggs Leads Ireland To Victory

The Ireland Women’s team got their RBS 6 Nations campaign off to the perfect start with a 30-5 win over Italy in wet and windy Florence.

Ireland Women 30-5 Italy Women

Ireland led 7-0 at the break thanks to a converted try from captain Niamh Briggs but cut loose after the break with four more tries.

Italy crossed in the right corner at the death in a rare attack but Ireland were comfortable winners in difficult conditions.

The led was seven at the break thanks to some determined Italian defence with Briggs crossing from close-range after one of many concerted spells of Irish pressure.

The vital second try arrived early in the second half from a rolling maul with Paula Fitzpatrick grounding. After missing the conversion and a penalty Briggs kicked a three-pointer to push the lead to 15.

Jenny Murphy showed great footballing skills to touch down a third when the ball was hacked through after an Italian mistake with Briggs narrowly off target again.

Highfield's Heather O'Brien added a fourth try when the Munster no. 8 picked off the base of a dominant Ireland scrum on the five-metre line before charging over the line.

Briggs was denied a second try when play was called back for a forward pass but her side didn't have to wait long for their fifth try as Fitzpatrick touched down her second try.

Italy's Maria Magatti hit back with a try late on but it was only a consolation as Ireland comfortably cleared the first hurdle in this year's 6 Nations.

IRELAND WOMEN: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) (Capt); Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen); Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Gillian Bourke (Olympico de Pozuelo), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's/Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster).

Replacements: Sarah Mimnagh (Wasps/Exile), Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster), Fiona O'Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary's/Leinster), Katie Norris (Blackrock/Leinster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht).

Referee: Sara Cox (England)