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Ireland Women kick-started their Six Nations campaign with a comfortable 29-8 victory over Italy in Cork. Greg McWilliams’ side, who led 10-3 at half-time, scored four tries at Musgrave Park through Lucy Mulhall, Neve Jones, Eve Higgins and replacement Katie O’Dwyer and were awarded a second-half penalty try.
Hooker Melissa Bettoni went over for Italy’s late consolation try, but Ireland’s first win after defeats to Wales and France was never in doubt.
Beatrice Rigoni’s penalty gave Italy an early lead, but Ireland ran in an outstanding try in the 25th minute, with fly-half Nicole Cronin delivering the final pass out wide for full-back Mulhall to score. Ireland went over for a deserved second try before the interval through hooker Jones and although both tries went unconverted, the Irish made a flying start to the second half.
Centre Higgins gathered scrum-half Kathryn Dane’s kick ahead to race over and Cronin converted to put the home side 17-3 ahead. Ireland moved further ahead when awarded a penalty try in the 52nd minute as Italy were penalised at a five-metre scrum and after Bettoni went over for the visitors, O’Dwyer gathered from a line-out to score the game’s final try.
1649613553Full-time: Ireland 29-8 ItalyPlayer of the Match Sam Monaghan told the BBC: “The last three weeks ahve been touch and I don’t think we played the rugby we thought we could play.
“We wanted to do it for all the fans here. Ever since we set foot in Cork everyone has been so supportive.
“We wanted to show them today we could do the country proud.
“We have a lot to work on, England in two weeks… This is just the start, this is monentum builidng now.”
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:59
1649613399Full-time: Ireland 29-8 ItalyIreland were the stronger side throughout this match and they throughly deserved to win.
Tries from Jones, O’Dwyer, Mulhall, Higgins and a penalty try sees a bonus-point win for Ireland at home. The result means they keep their at home record against Italy in tact and the visitors will have to wait for their first win in the tournament.
But what a huge result for Ireland! Their first win of 2022.
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:56
1649613188Ireland 29-8 Italy, 78 minsAnother simple kick missed from Cronin but it makes no difference to this outcome.
Ireland are back to 15 for the last spell of this game with Wafer back on.
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:53
1649613110TRY! Ireland 29-8 Italy (O’Dwyer, 76)A bouncing ball from a line-out ends up in O’Dwyer’s hands and she dots down.
She’s then smothered in her teammates who are thrilled to top off this fixture with a try.
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:51
1649613051Ireland 24-8 Italy, 76 minsFlood kicks it through again but Stefan does well to keep it in play and Italy have it.
Rigoni tries to kick it away but it’s charged down, Barratin comes away with it – luckily for Italy.
They clears their lines as Sam Monaghan is named Player of the Match.
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:50
1649612939Ireland 24-8 Italy, 74 minsRigoni only just misses the conversion with the wind pushing it just wide.
Tounesi is off for Margotti as Italy set off on another attack.
Monaghan has been great in the tackles but that one goes just high, her teammates recover well for her though as they overturn the ball. Ireland clear their lines to alleviate the sustained Italy pressure.
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:48
1649612776TRY! Ireland 24-8 Italy (Bettoni, 71)And there it is! Not only Italy’s first of this match but the first of the tournament!
A good splinter from Bettoni fromt he drivign maul sees her go over.
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:46
1649612719Ireland 24-3 Italy, 71 minsItaly have the advantage as Ireland collapse their driving maul so this is a free hit for Italy.
Another penalty is drawn from Ireland and we come back for the first, the hosts will have to be careful not to go down to 13.
Italy target another driving maul…
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:45
1649612634Ireland 24-3 Italy, 70 minsWhat a strange line-out, Italy ctahc it but just drop it to the floor and are lucky to come away with it.
Minuzzi makes a good few metres and then draws the penalty from Ireland. It’s another penatly in quick succession and Rigoni kicks upfield.
There’s a change ahead of this play as Dane come soff for Reilly.
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:43
1649612533YELLOW CARD! Ireland 24-3 Italy (Wafer, 68)It seems Wafer has rolled an Italian out of the ruck, the debutant will get a yellow card. Heart-breaking for the young player.
She looks distraught as she jogs off the pitch.
Sarah Rendell10 April 2022 18:42
