Ireland Rugby

Ireland cruised to a 55-19 win over the USA Eagles during Saturday's summer international, powered by a great performance from Keith Earls.

The European giants were expected to beat the Stars and Stripes and lived up to the expectations, although the hosts also impressed in a high-scoring match.

The visitors scored no less than nine tries, with Earls (2), Jacob Stockdale, Kieran Marmion, Niall Scannell, Jack Conan, James Ryan, Luke McGrath and Simon Zebo all touching down. Joe Carberry and Rory Scannell each added two conversions.

For the Stars and Stripes, Ryan Matyas, Nick Civetta and John Quill scored tries, and Alan MacGinty had two conversions.

The USA started the match with plenty of attacking intentions but quickly ran into a first setback, as Earls cleverly slid over after a brilliant attack. Carbery missed the conversion, but the visitors still had the early lead.

Balls.ie were impressed with Earls' recent form―and he was only just getting started:

While the Stars and Stripes impressed with plenty of offloads and exotic attacking moves, the more experienced Irish team was ruthlessly efficient early, and Stockdale scored a try on his debut from a great set-piece. Carbery was on point this time around, making the score 12-0.

Earles continued his monstrous showing by going close to scoring a second try before playing a clever one-two with Kieran Marmion that resulted in another score.

But just as the USA's efforts seemed hopeless, Carbery made a silly mistake that gave the Eagles some space, and they duly capitalised via Civetta. USA Rugby were ecstatic:

Ireland took control of the ball after the mistake and eventually restored the big advantage through an excellent maul, with Scannell going over. Marmion put the half-time score on the board after yet another good effort from Earls, who easily stole the headlines in that half.

Three Red Kings thought the Stars and Stripes' limitations showed:

The high scoring volume didn't stop after the break, with Conan pushing on for Ireland's sixth before another poor kick from Carbery gave the hosts their second score, this time via Quill.

Irish Times Sport were not impressed:

Numerous substitutions pulled the momentum from the match, although the USA didn't seem to mind, and Ireland were happy to give some of their fringe players a run out. The hosts dealt with the changes best, and Matyas deservedly added to their tally.

Ryan got in on the scoring fun, with Earls once again playing a big role in the buildup. Not to be outdone, McGrath also showed his strength on his way to another score.

And the visitors weren't done yet, as Zebo scored their ninth try to complete the one-sided affair.

Ireland secured their first win of the 2017 Six Nations on Saturday, as they hammered Italy 63-10 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. 

Flanker CJ Stander and substitute Craig Gilroy both grabbed hat-tricks, Keith Earls scored a brace and Garry Ringrose also went over in a dominant display from the men in green. Paddy Jackson also impressed with his kicking, converting all nine tries.

Later on Saturday, Wales will take on England in Cardiff, while France host Scotland in Paris on Sunday.

Having suffered a shock loss to Scotland in their first match of the competition, Ireland were always going to come out firing against Italy. It took them just 12 minutes to get their first score on the board, as Jackson fed Earls for a simple finish, per ITV Rugby:

After Jackson converted, Italy made it 7-3 through Carlo Canna just four minutes later after Ireland conceded a cheap penalty for offside. Nevertheless, the visitors were the dominant force, and even as Italy defended desperately to keep them out, another try was inevitable.

In the 18th minute, brilliant work from Jamie Heaslip set up a flowing passing move that ultimately culminated with Stander going over; another conversion from Jackson left Italy with an early mountain to climb.

Indeed, the hosts were already looking downtrodden, and with a bonus point up for grabs, Ireland were in no mood to take their foot off the gas. On 26 minutes, Earls found space again and grabbed his second of the game, handing Ireland that extra point.

Italy were able to cut the deficit before the break after a penalty try was awarded in their favour; however, the visitors responded immediately from the restart, with Stander spinning off a maul and bundling over the line; at the interval, the visitors had a 28-10 lead.

Despite the advantage, the Harpin’ On Rugby Twitter feed wanted to see more from the men in green:

After the break, any hopes of a comeback for Italy were quickly extinguished and an unlikely hero for the Irish confirmed.

Having scored twice already, Stander was evidently full of confidence when he picked the ball up on the 22-metre line, slaloming away from a couple of challenges and completing his hat-trick. Here’s the moment the flanker rounded off his unlikely treble:

As noted by Will Kelleher of the Daily Mail, it was a try that made Six Nations history:

After another successful conversion from Jackson, the contest descended into a lull, with Italy seeking to keep the scoreline down. Ireland upped the ante again heading into the final stages, though, putting together a devastating spell of rugby.

With 12 minutes left on the clock, Gilroy showed nifty feet to escape his man and finish under the posts. Then, just four minutes later, Ringrose surged forward from 40 yards out, breaking through some jaded Italian tackles for Ireland’s seventh try of the day.

With the clock ticking down, Gilroy scored for a second time after some tired Azzurri defending. The winger then completed a memorable substitute appearance with his third try of the afternoon.

Conversions from Jackson, who was immaculate with his kicking throughout the contest, made the score 63-10 in favour of the away side, as he slotted the extra points on all four late scores.

Ireland will be relieved to have gotten off the mark after their disappointment in Week 1 and performed well throughout here.

Italy kept Wales at bay for long spells last time out and have shown they can be a defensively determined side. So to have blown them away with some stirring attacking play is a big positive for the Irish, especially with three clashes against quality opposition to come in this Six Nations.

Reaction

Per the competition Twitter feed, Heaslip praised how ruthless the team were when scoring opportunities came about:

Afterwards, Ireland boss Joe Schmidt hailed the qualities of Stander, although he encouraged him not to get too carried away.

"He's got a fantastic engine," he said of the flanker, per Raf Diallo of Newstalk. "He just keeps working away and you also saw a few of his other skills of which kicking is not one. His kick did work out for [Gilroy]. But it probably isn't something he's going to pull out of the locker too often."

Wales and England will meet in Round 2 of the 2017 Six Nations tournament in a match that already has major title implications after the two teams won their opening fixtures.

The defending champions struggled against France but got the job done in the end, while Wales overcame a slow start to cruise past Italy. With Ireland suffering an upset in Scotland, England and Wales suddenly look like title favourites.

Scotland should not be overlooked and will have the chance to convince some of their doubters in Paris, while Ireland travel to Italy and will have the chance to grab some much-needed momentum.

Here's the schedule for Round 2:

To access the BBC iPlayer, click here. For the ITV hub, click here.

Preview

England enter Round 2 with a 15-match win streak in Test matches under their belt, and with Ireland losing at Murrayfield, coach Eddie Jones and his troops already appear to be on pace for a second straight Six Nations title.

The win over France wasn't particularly impressive―Les Bleus were the better team in the first half and nothing appeared to work for England early on―but once again, the team showed its resilience and stepped up when they had to.

As reported by the Press Association (for ESPN), Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones believes the England team can rightly be compared with New Zealand: "I don't see why not. They are three games away from equalling their (New Zealand's) record (for successive wins), and when you get that close it's fair to make that link, but they have probably been keeping it at arm's length, for obvious reasons."

Jones and his troops have some injuries to contend with―most notably the absence of Billy and Mako Vunipola―but the team's depth is impressive. Wales haven't beaten England in the Six Nations since Jones took control of the team, but he has yet to travel to the Principality Stadium.

The Welsh started slow against Italy but exploded in the second half and lead the standings entering Round 2. The side is mostly healthy, although there's one crucial player who could miss out―George North.

The winger will have the chance to prove his fitness, but if he can't start, head coach Rob Howley will have some shifting to do, per Walesonline.co.uk's Simon Thomas:

Italy did well to slow Wales down during the first half of their clash in Rome, but the Azzurri still came up short by some margin. Ireland will be hoping to take advantage of their shortcomings, as they desperately need a boost.

The loss against Scotland was unexpected, but coach Joe Schmidt is unlikely to make major changes. Italy aren't exactly a powerhouse team, and they tend to wear out in the second half against physical, rugged sides―playing right into Ireland's main strengths.

Johnny Sexton is working hard to get back to 100 per cent, and once he does, Ireland will be a far better team.

Scotland showed some trickery in their win over Ireland, and their set-piece surprises likely won't work a second time around against France. Les Bleus are always a difficult team to beat in Paris, and a win on Sunday would cement the Scots as legitimate title contenders.

Rory Best was named as the new captain of Ireland by national team coach Joe Schmidt on Wednesday, ahead of Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip and Jonny Sexton.

Rory Best is a “steady hand,” as the Irish Examiner called him, but because of his age, his competition for the No. 2 jersey and the demands of his position, Sean O’Brien not Rory Best should captain Joe Schmidt's Ireland.

So why has Joe Schmidt appointed the Ulster hooker as his skipper? Rory Best is one of the most likeable and personable players in world rugby and is respected by all in Ireland.

One need only look at the reaction to his initial exclusion from the 2013 Lions squad (he later replaced the banned Dylan Hartley) to see the affection for Best in the Emerald Isle.

Best has 89 caps, has led Ulster and is a player his team-mates will follow. Nonetheless, he is the wrong forward for the role.

Before looking at the virtues of the other candidates, here are the key reasons why his appointment is flawed.

Firstly, Best’s age. He turns 34 in August and realistically only has two years at most left as an international player. There is no way Best should or will captain Ireland at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan aged 37, so Schmidt will have to appoint a new skipper midway through the World Cup cycle.

Given how Ireland have consistently failed to live up to expectations at World Cups, Japan 2019 should be Schmidt’s priority. His captain at the tournament, and it won’t be Best, would benefit from as much experience leading the side as possible.

Secondly, Rory Best appears to be a stopgap appointment when there really is no need for one. Sean O’Brien is a fine candidate, who has led Ireland once and, crucially, is 28 years old and would be more than able to lead Ireland in Japan at 32. Thirty-seven is just too old.

Thirdly, Rory Best may be Ireland’s first-choice hooker now, but with the player into his 30s, for how long will he be able to hold off the challenge of the dynamic Sean Cronin?

Fourthly, although Joe Schmidt doesn’t need to substitute his hooker for the sake of it, would oppositions prefer to see Best for the final 20 minutes of a match or a fresh Cronin?

I would say Cronin is a tougher prospect, but to do this means taking off the captain, which, despite the wealth of experience Ireland have, is rarely a good move as crucial matches enter their defining stages.

So who are the alternatives to Best? Jamie Heaslip has been named vice-captain but doubts remain regarding his attitude and his ability to deal with the media, not to mention his lack of direction when captain in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.

Rory Best or Peter O'Mahony are the men for the job as Irelands new captain, Jamie Heaslip is a fruitcake #useless

— Conor McLean (@KonyMclean) January 11, 2016

Jonny Sexton, meanwhile, is the team’s heartbeat, but it would be wrong to burden the playmaker with any extra responsibility.

With major flaws in the candidacies of Best, Heaslip and Sexton, Joe Schmidt should turn to Sean O’Brien. As Donal Lenihan, in the Irish Examiner, put it:

He is an inspirational figure and despite having little game time recently, displayed enough in Leinster’s win over Munster to suggest he is back to his best. 

He backed that up with a crucial contribution, off the bench, against Connacht at the RDS.

Interviewed as man of the match immediately after that harrowing defeat to New Zealand in 2013, O’Brien was not seeking comfort in any false platitudes. 

He immediately focused on the key mistakes Ireland made in attempting to close out that game and the areas that required improvement in order to beat the very best.

He is a leader and a driver of standards.                                                                                                

In the absence of O’Connell, he is the one that players will now turn to when times get tough. 

That final point is arguably the most important. Despite recent success wining the past two Six Nations, Ireland need a leader for the crucial moments. That is what they had with Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell, and what they need again.

Rory Best may be the most liked, but O’Brien is the most suited to captaining Ireland.

Argentina withstood an almighty comeback attempt to defeat Ireland 43-20 at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, booking their place in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup 2015 thanks in part to a brace of tries from Juan Imhoff.

The Pumas rampaged into a 17-0 lead early on, with Matias Moroni and Imhoff crossing the whitewash. However, Ireland staged a second-half rally and got back to within three points thanks to tries from substitute Luke Fitzgerald and Jordi Murphy.

Ultimately, Argentina were the better side, though, and they found another gear to pull away with 12 minutes remaining through Joaquin Tuculet and a late second from Imhoff.

The defeat means Ireland have now failed to make it to the World Cup semi-finals in six attempts. Andy McGeady of the Irish Times acknowledged Argentina were the more deserving victors by some margin:

An injury-hit Ireland had Ian Madigan, Jordi Murphy, Iain Henderson and Chris Henry to help replace absent quartet Paul O'Connell, Johnny Sexton, Peter O'Mahony and Sean O'Brien, but depth proved insufficient as Joe Schmidt's men fell short in the Welsh capital.

Ireland were left shell-shocked inside two minutes after a flowing move through the hands found its way to the right flank, and the quick feet of Santiago Cordero opened enough room for Moroni to glide over unopposed.

Kearney brothers Rob and Dave were exposed in the build-up, although Andy Howell of Wales Online posting his appreciation of Argentina's flowing back line:

Most teams can be forgiven a slow start, but Ireland were put on red alert as the fleet-footed Cordero again assumed the role of provider, this time chipping over for Imhoff to score Argentina's second try before the 10-minute mark.

Referee Jerome Garces had to check with his TMO, but Imhoff's try was cleared of any suspicion of offside as the Millennium Stadium's Irish contingent fell quiet in the realisation of just how hard their team was being hit.

Nothing could be taken away from a lightning quick Argentina back line, and Imhoff's touchdown was a thing to behold, as shown by ITV Rugby:

Ireland were given a well-timed boost, however, as Keith Earls took a late hit from Pumas prop Ramiro Herrera, earning 10 minutes in the sin bin and gifting the trailing side a route back into the fixture.

Schmidt's men seized their chance. The loss of Tommy Bowe was a big blow after he was forced to withdraw with a shin injury, but replacement Luke Fitzgerald proved a savvy alternative as he broke off the left flank to bring the Boys in Green back within 10 points:

The Pool D winners would have been pleased with the manner in which they closed the half, but winger Imhoff and Cordero remained the key threats whenever permitted to receive the ball in space out wide.

The Pumas pressed their assault in the second period, but just as they had opened the match with a quick counter strike, it was now Ireland's turn to launch a surprise attack, once again through impact man Fitzgerald.

The versatile Leinster man was the spearhead for Ireland, piercing Argentina's back line before offloading to flanker Murphy for a tide-turning score. Murray Kinsella of The42.ie paid huge compliments to Fitzgerald, who has had to endure horrific injury setbacks in an otherwise gleaming career:

Sanchez and Madigan traded another set of penalties as the Argentina lead was reduced to 23-20. Herrera was perhaps lucky not to receive a second yellow after appearing to enter a ruck with his shoulder, and Irish fans everywhere let the referee know their opinion on the call, per ESPN's Robert Bartlett:

Ireland lock Devin Toner, the 6'10" behemoth, was unfortunate to concede a penalty after Garces blew up for a high tackle on the considerably shorter Sanchez, who kicked his team ahead into a valuable 26-20 lead.

After coming off the boil for so long, the Pumas finally stepped back on the gas thanks to ex-Cardiff Blues player Tuculet, who took advantage of narrow Irish defending to dot down under a mountain of opposition bodies.

Ireland's misery was encapsulated by the poor defence that led to Imhoff's second just minutes later, but nothing could be taken away from the Pumas for such a stubborn, yet at times dazzling display.

Ex-England coach Sir Clive Woodward was among those to pile praise on Hourcade's side, who have now made it three southern-hemisphere quarter-finalists from a possible three:

The match did its part in living up to the already stellar standard of rugby we've seen in this weekend's quarter-finals, but Australia and Scotland may watch the tape back with some degree of delight.

Argentina showed holes in defence and a lack of discipline, although their flair in attack will ensure the victors of Sunday's late encounter won't have an easy ride in the next round.

Post-Match Reaction

For the sixth time Ireland made the quarter-finals of a World Cup and for a sixth time the European giants were found wanting, despite a titanic effort to reverse the deficit after suffering so badly early on.

Schmidt was quoted by the Irish Independent, bemoaning that lacklustre beginning:

No. 8 Jamie Heaslip was crestfallen in the wake of a result which at one point seemed as though it was Ireland's for the taking, per ITV Sport (h/t BBC Sport):

It's very disappointing to lose in such a big game. We didn't help ourselves at the start. We came back into it but we gave ourselves too much to do. This is a special group of players and a special group of fans.

Argentina played a very expansive game. They stretched us. They took their chances. We got back to within three points - but then they took their opportunities to kick on.

The biggest hero of the day was two-try talisman Imhoff, and yet despite his scoring antics, the winger was eager to praise the team as a whole for their work in defence:

“We will enjoy this moment but we know we have a tough game next week. Ireland played with a great intensity. We are a really good team in offence. But today we had a defence to make the difference.”