Much done, more to do

ON a cold day in Rome, Ireland turned the heat up on the RBS Six Nations title challengers and hit the top of the table on point difference from Wales, the reigning champions.

Based on the evidence of this patient and professional display, all roads will be leading to the Millennium Stadium on March 21 for a Grand Slam showdown. Ireland won’t worry that two late tries may have made the scoreline look somewhat flattering.

It wasn’t always plain sailing, but Italy don’t capitulate at the Stadio Flaminio, although they did their best to give Ireland a head start when full back Andre Masi earned the wrath of referee Chris White inside a minute.