Two tries give Ireland the lead in strong wind

Ireland 12 Italy 0

Malcolm O’Kelly and Brian O’Driscoll grabbed the tries which put Ireland in command against Italy after a first half marred by strong winds at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland struggled to break down determined Italian defence until O’Kelly stole an Italian line-out to plunge over and O’Driscoll conjured up a solo effort converted by Ronan O’Gara.

Ireland had a strong, swirling wind behind them in the first half, and O’Gara’s early penalty from the halfway line had enough distance but was marginally wide.

Ireland chose to keep it tight within the pack rather than risk a kicking game in such windy conditions.

The Italians had hooker Fabio Ongaro sin-binned in the 17th minute but they held out until the 27th when O’Kelly took the ball from an Italian line-out and drove over for the try.

O’Gara was off target with the conversion, but a touch of O’Driscoll magic swiftly produced a second Irish try.

With the Italian defence stretched, he took full advantage with some typically elusive running.

A dummied pass to O’Kelly deceived the remaining cover, and he eluded Ongaro’s despairing dive to claim the try.

O’Gara landed the conversion from wide out, and Ireland took a 12-0 lead into the break.