Irish escape to victory as underdogs bare their teeth

BILLED as the most competitive Six Nations in years, the opening salvos seemed to confirm as much.

With world champions England losing in Cardiff, and reigning champions France put to the pin of their collar by Scotland, Ireland kicked off in Rome yesterday forewarned that the gap between the northern hemisphere haves and have-nots is closing.

That said, nobody expected Ireland would struggle so desperately to record yesterday’s victory. The game finished with a try to Italy as Ireland’s inspirational captain Brian O’Driscoll was carried from the field injured. Such was the ferocity of the Italian challenge that without O’Driscoll’s brilliance, the Italians could have recorded a first Six Nations victory over Ireland.