Ian Keatley’s trusty boot meant Ireland started their RBS 6 Nations defence with a hard-fought victory in Rome.
It wasn’t their most stylish win and more will be needed in the encounters ahead but it was a case of Italian job done, without blowing off the hinges.
Only three times have a team won the RBS 6 Nations back to back, while you need to open the history books to 1949 to see the last time Ireland retained their Five Nations crown.
And despite their stellar form from last autumn, Italy famously won their previous meeting in Rome and set themselves up to frustrate the men in green again.
But Keatley – with a 14 point contribution – gave coach Joe Schmidt reasons not to regret his pre-match confidence in the Munster man.
Ireland were forced into a late change when flanker Sean O’Brien tweaked his hamstring in the warm-up, meaning a year-and-a-half wait for his international comeback, after a string of injuries, goes on.
The visitors put Italy under almost immediate pressure, George Biagi fumbling a high ball to allow Ireland a scrum on the 22-metre line.
And basic errors were to continue to prove costly, Keatley ensuring Ireland’s first foray into Italian territory was rewarded with a penalty after a needless infringement by the hosts.
Ireland were keeping it simple – using their strength and muscle to charge forward – while Italy seemed to struggle with their back-to-basics tactics, soon surrendering another penalty that Keatley converted.
Ireland’s midfield, without their talisman Brian O’Driscoll in an RBS 6 Nations campaign for the first time in 16 years, made repeated errors in what came a stop-start kicking contest played in bright sunshine and then torrential rain.
Italy denied their visitors quick ball at every breakdown and it was the boot of Keatley that was doing the damage, the Munster fly-half stroking over his third penalty after Josh Furno strayed offside.
Italy had their share of possession but repeatedly failed to put Ireland under pressure, Kelly Haimona securing their first points with his first and ultimately only penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Italy’s durable defence – underlined by a stellar tackling display by Francesco Minto – continued to frustrate their visitors after the restart with the defending champions seemingly resigned to grind out a result, extending their advantage with another Keatley kick.
This was not the Ireland that claimed the scalps of South Africa and Australia last autumn, moving to third in the world rankings.
Ireland’s 14 wins against Italy have been secured at the return of four tries per game but it wasn’t until the final minutes that they started to live up to that statistic.
And they finally scored in the 65th minute, seconds after Leonardo Ghiraldini had been sin-binned after persistently testing the patience of referee Pascal Gauzere.
Conor Murray burrowed over from close range for his first RBS 6 Nations try, which Keatley converted. And – just seconds later – Tommy O’Donnell, O’Brien’s late replacement, scampered clear for a breakaway try to which Ian Madigan added the extras.
Italy thought they’d claimed a late consolation try when Haimona scored, only for a review to show that Sergio Parisse had knocked on seconds before.
Ireland will now look to make adjustments ahead of next weekend’s visit of France to Dublin while Italy travel to Twickenham to take on England.
