No hangover but Easterby downbeat at Ireland performance in Rome

They did reap the maximum return from the Italy clash to make it four wins from five in this season’s competition. 

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby and Caelan Doris of Ireland after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Italy and Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ireland boss Simon Easterby was left disappointed by his team’s performance as they closed out the Guinness Six Nations campaign with a 22-17 victory over an ill-disciplined Italy at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

A week on from a sobering 42-27 defeat at home to France, the interim head coach had spoken of his hope for Ireland to deliver their best performance of the championship. They needed a bonus-point win over the Azzurri to stay in with a chance of retaining their title and completing a historic first Six Nations three titles in a row, although they were relying on upset wins from Wales at home to England and Scotland in Paris against the French.