Italy v Ireland: Three things we learned as the visitors sack Rome

Did Italy just make Ireland look good, or did Andy Farrell's men take clear and obvious steps forwards in this 48-10 win after their Six Nations losses to Wales and France?

Hugo Keenan breaks away to score. Picture: Marco Iacobucci/PA

Italy make for the most accommodating of hosts

We’ll come to Ireland presently but let’s frame the picture first. Italy were awful. “Bordering on pathetic,” said Shane Horgan at half-time on TV. Franco Smith’s side had shipped 91 points and 13 tries in their first two games to France and England and Ireland could have done even greater damage here.