All-square at half-time

It is not going as Ireland hopes n their Six Nations opened against Italy in Lansdown Road.

HT Ireland 10 Italy 10

It is not going as Ireland hopes n their Six Nations opened against Italy in Lansdowne Road.

The teams entered the interval all-square with a Ronan O’Gara penalty late in the half putting them all-square.

A try from hooker Jerry Flannery gave Ireland the lead but Mirco Bergamasco replied in kind for the impressive Azzurri.

Italy’s defence was carved open in the 22nd minute when a long pass from O’Gara found Murphy bursting into the line from full-back and the Leicester ace drew Stoica and fed Bowe.

With only 15 metres to the line Bowe should have finished the chance but a stunning cover tackle from Canavosio saved Italy.

Horgan nearly barged his way over on the right after Flannery and Wallace combined to create the chance but Ireland could not be denied in the next move.

O’Connell stole a line-out on Italy’s throw and the Irish pack surged forward, eating up the 10 yards to the whitewash before barging Flannery over for the opening try.

O’Gara converted but the Azzurri were back in front in the 28th minute when fly-half Pez ran outside his opposite number and found Mirco Bergamasco.

The Stade Francais centre rode O’Driscoll’s despairing tackle and touched down with his outstretched arm. Pez converted to give Italy a 10-7 lead.

O’Gara slotted a penalty to level the score and Italy’s problems deepened with Pez being sent to the sin bin.