Ireland’s number don’t stack up on sobering day of decline

The 2013 Six Nations came to an end for Ireland with a whimper in Rome, a far cry from the stunning first half against eventual champions Wales just six short weeks before.

Although some elements of the defeat to Italy could legitimately be blamed on an unfortunate sequence of injuries, other shortcomings cannot be excused.

For example, one of the few bright spots in Ireland’s series prior to Saturday was the performance of the maul, often set up from a lineout. The Irish lineout collapsed in Rome, losing four of their nine throws.