An Excellent Feast Of Tries

Last year in Italy was earmarked as Brian O'Driscoll's final international, but with Ireland failing in Rome, finishing a mediocre campaign on a low, and the great man himself being sin-binned, it was not a good way to bow out. This partially persuaded the legend to extend his career for a further year, and this time against Italy, Brian's final home match was a sight to behold.

O'Driscoll excelled himself to such an extent that the 'old man' made a big contribution to three tries and even though he was replaced on the hour mark, he was still nominated as the 'man of the match', an honour that amused him as he correctly observed that such awards are rarely if ever allocated to people who 'only' play an hour. While Drico could not add to his huge tries collection, which would obviously have been the icing on the cake, he put in the kind of all-round shift that leaves us lesser mortals in awe. No longer blessed with the lightning pace from bygone days of yore, the king of the centre has become the Irish rugby equivalent of a Teddy Sheringham. What he lacks in speed, he compensates with speed of thought and awareness that is a product of experience and know-how. He has also demonstrated in his latter years a capability at the breakdown and in the tackle which has led a commentator to describe him as an auxiliary wing forward. In fact, not only does Brian take his place alongside Mike Gibson as the best centre in Irish rugby, but he could lay claim to being the best flanker that world rugby never had! [I would urge Leinster to play him at open-side for the remainder of his career. He won't let them down!]

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Jonny Sexton's erratic brilliance was very much in evidence again. The fly half ran in a couple of tries which showcased his exceptional pace, and given his own ability both in defence and attack, the Racing Club maestro could easily play at centre. Andrew Trimble supplied the crucial second try in that extremely important ten minutes before half time when the hosts yearned to put some daylight between them and their plucky opponents. This was a carbon copy situation to that in the home match against Scotland when a Trimble try shortly before the interval also provided the men in green with a comfortable cushion at the halfway stage. There is indeed a comparison between the two home skirmishes with Scotland and Italy. For half an hour, Ireland asked questions of the Italian defence, but they were not punching holes or penetrating too often. If Sexton's early seven-pointer might have been expected to open the floodgates, this was certainly not the case. Instead, the visitors themselves brilliantly counter-attacked to score under the posts, leaving the match delicately balanced after the first half hour.

However, Italy have acquired the unenviable reputation of wilting in the second half, and allied with Ireland's second half heroics against Scotland and Wales [and almost against England] then the one-way traffic of the final forty minutes is perhaps understandable. What I found most satisfying from an Oirish point of view is that three of Ireland's tries were scored by replacements. This suggests a strength in depth. Cronin is now a regular replacement for Best and he showed fine acceleration to go over in the left-hand corner. Fergus McFadden, who has become something of a 'super-sub', helped himself to another try, while Jack McGrath powered over the line for his first touchdown, having replaced another try-scoring hero, Cian Healy. Regrettably for the latter, his own score resulted in an injury which jeopardises his place in the line-up for the showdown in Paris.

Elsewhere, Devin Toner carried the ball better than before, while Chris Henry really asserted himself up front, and even old Mike Ross is more prominent in the loose! However, for me, pride of place ought to go to Eoin Reddan. I thought that the Leinster stalwart made a big difference to this team. Reddan was really buzzing, playing with authority and confidence, and his enterprising nature stimulated those around him. It was good to see the guy remind us of his abilities. Whether he starts against France is another question. Conor Murray and his trademark box kicks may be the horse for the Parisian course.

In the end, a seven try-bonanza was just what the doctor ordered, after the heartache of Twickenham. More importantly, high-flying Ireland have now amassed such an impressive points aggregate that should they win at the Stade de France, then England will need 'snookers' in their earlier fixture in Rome to get anywhere near Ireland's massive points difference. Boasting thirteen tries from our four matches, conceding only two, and restricting the three away teams to single-figure scores are all outstanding plus points. Now can the men in green overcome the weight of history and deliver in Paris against a dismal France XV? Mind you, we can expect les Bleus to be a completely different beast for the encounter on Saturday. It could be that Saint-Andre's tenure as coach is on the line, whilst a number of the Francais may be playing for their international futures. Not for the first time, the French will want to ruin Ireland's tournament. Let us hope that we can actually do ourselves justice in an arena which also launched the career of O'Driscoll when he famously grabbed three tries in our last win there, way back in 2000. The championship is at our mercy if our warriors can maintain their form and repeat the success of the 2000 excursion. England have already acquired two pieces of silverware, in the guise of the Calcutta Cup and the triple crown trophy. How about John Bull generously allowing the Irish a piece of silverware too, namely the Six Nations Championship itself? It's good to share with your neighbours!

IRELAND 46 Italy 7; at Lansdowne Road; Saturday the 8th of March 2014

15 Kearney.R

14 Trimble [TRY]

13 O'Driscoll replaced by McFadden [TRY]

12 D'Arcy

11 Kearney.D

10 Sexton [2 TRIES, penalty, 2 conversions] replaced by Jackson [2 conversions]

9 Murray

8 Heaslip

7 Henry

6 Henderson

5 O'Connell (captain)

4 Toner

3 Ross

2 Best replaced by Cronin [TRY]

1 Healy [TRY] replaced by McGrath [TRY]