Ireland cast off the shackles to run sorry Azzurri ragged

With time almost up in the first half at the Aviva yesterday Ireland reclaimed their own 22 drop-out through Donnacha Ryan, and set about securing the ball at the ruck. Leading 20-3 at that point, and with Italy having lost two forwards - including go-to lineout target George Biagi - already it was impossible to see the away team getting back into it. Whereupon Ireland put the issue beyond doubt.