Farrell takes the positives

The Ireland boss dismissed the suggestion that the circumstances of the game had meant few players could have realistically put their hands up for selection next week. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Ireland’s thumping victory over a 13-man Italy may have left everyone a little cold but Andy Farrell’s job is to make the best of a bad lot as he starts preparing for a Twickenham showdown with England on Saturday week.

For all the positives a nine-try win brings the Irish in the Guinness Six Nations title race, keeping Grand Slam-chasing France within arm’s length, the head coach recognised his team had not been at their best in dealing with the opportunity that presented itself when Italy’s replacement hooker Epalahame Faiva was red-carded on 20 minutes and the rugby-watching world became acquainted with one of the sport’s more intricate laws that forced another Italian forward off and gave Ireland a two-man advantage for an hour of the game.