D eath, taxes and Italy drubbings. This result will do nothing to silence those who argue that Italy are undeserving of their protected Six Nations status. Franco Smith’s team were dreadful. That is now 139 points and 19 tries they have conceded in three games. But in terms of getting Ireland out of a rut this was useful enough exercise. Ireland had arrived in Rome with criticism of their attacking play ringing in their ears , boasting the fewest number of tries in the first two rounds of this year’s championship (two), the fewest linebreaks (eight) and joint-fewest offloads (six). They left feeling like the All Blacks. Six tries, another perfectly good one ignored by the TMO Romain Poite, plus two more which were chalked off in a ludicrously one-sided second half at the Stadio Olimpico, were just what the doctor ordered for Andy Farrell’s men. While Scotland and England will provide far sterner tests, Ireland’s confidence will be buoyed by some of the combinations and play … [Read more...] about Much-improved Ireland hammer inaccurate Italy to kick-start Six Nations campaign