Errors and Italian defence give Azzurri first-half lead

Italy 6 Ireland 3

Ireland trailed at half-time of their RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy at Stadio Flaminio.

Mirco Bergamasco slotted two penalties to give the Azzurri a narrow advantage with Jonathan Sexton on target with three points.

Only a try-saving tackle from Luke McLean prevented Brian O’Driscoll from crossing with Ireland guilty of failing to capitalise on a period of domination.

A deft crossfield chip from Kristopher Burton gave winger Mirco Bergamasco a glimpse of the line, but the ball bounced tantalisingly out of reach.

It was a typically rousing start from Italy, who sent waves of runners at Ireland’s defence until a wayward pass brought a fine passage of play to a halt.

A penalty soon arrived which Bergamasco sent between the uprights, but the score provoked a slick response from the 2009 champions who moved the ball superbly until Brian O’Driscoll was guilty of accidental offside.

Unforced errors hampered Irish attempts to make further inroads with O’Brien spilling the ball forward and O’Driscoll letting fly with a wild pass.

Italy’s indiscipline was costing them as they frequently fell foul of referee Romain Poite’s whistle, costing them strong attacking positions on two occasions.

Ireland exploded into life in the 20th minute with Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald using quick ball to release Jonathan Sexton, but the Leinster fly-half was caught five metres out.

Full-back Luke McLean executed a try-saving tackle on O’Driscoll as Ireland renewed their assault.

Italy were buckling but were saved on two overlaps when first Earls juggled with the ball, conceding precious moments for the Azzurri to react, and then Gordon D’Arcy dropped a simple pass.

The one-way traffic continued but it took until the 27th minute for Ireland to level the score with a penalty from Sexton.

Bergamasco missed a long but straight penalty during a promising period from Italy, who saw hard-running centre Alberto Sgarbi make ground.

Pressure from their front row resulted in Ireland being penalised at a scrum and it was now the visitors’ turn to weather the storm.

Burton failed with a poorly-advised drop-goal and the Azzurri seemed to be moving nicely through the gears before the half finished with Bergamasco landing his second penalty.