Relief for Andy Farrell as Ireland finally show some attacking verve in overcoming naive Italy

Ireland’s manner of victory offered a healthy combination of physicality, set-piece superiority, and previously unseen attacking verve

Ireland’s Craig Casey gets the pass away after a ruck during the Six Nations match against Italy at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. Picture: Matteo Ciambelli/Inpho

It is amazing what a victory can do for the soul. On Saturday night as Ireland tasted it for the first time in this 2021 Guinness Six Nations you could sense the weight being lifted from the shoulders of players and coaches alike as they discussed their comprehensive win at Stadio Olimpico.

Defeats against Wales and at home to France, accompanied by a chorus of disapproval from media pundits displeased and concerned by the lack of firepower in attack, had presented this third-round trip to Rome as both a must-win game and a no-win situation.