- Ireland 57-6 Italy
- Hame Faiva is sent off; Michael Lowry enjoys dream debut
By kick-off at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday the strong, biting wind that had chilled Dublin all morning had moved on, and with it, you felt, went Italy’s best chance of containment. But if conditions were ideal for the home team to generate a turbo boost to their points-difference column it was nothing compared to the bizarre gift of Italy being reduced to 13 men by the end of the first quarter. For those who came along in search of entertainment the afternoon had lost its attraction. What unfolded thereafter was awful stuff.
Yes, Ireland had their bonus point sorted by the 38th minute, but by that stage they seemed to be struggling as much as their opponents with the state of play. Italy’s predicament was caused by the loss of two hookers: first Gianmarco Lucchesi was gone after nine minutes through injury; second his replacement, Epalahame Faiva, was given a red card for a high shot on Ireland’s hooker Dan Sheehan.
Continue reading…Ireland 57-6 ItalyHame Faiva is sent off; Michael Lowry enjoys dream debutBy kick-off at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday the strong, biting wind that had chilled Dublin all morning had moved on, and with it, you felt, went Italy’s best chance of containment. But if conditions were ideal for the home team to generate a turbo boost to their points-difference column it was nothing compared to the bizarre gift of Italy being reduced to 13 men by the end of the first quarter. For those who came along in search of entertainment the afternoon had lost its attraction. What unfolded thereafter was awful stuff.Yes, Ireland had their bonus point sorted by the 38th minute, but by that stage they seemed to be struggling as much as their opponents with the state of play. Italy’s predicament was caused by the loss of two hookers: first Gianmarco Lucchesi was gone after nine minutes through injury; second his replacement, Epalahame Faiva, was given a red card for a high shot on Ireland’s hooker Dan Sheehan. Continue reading…[#item_full_content]