Ireland were hit with a late injury blow, less than 15 minutes before kick-off against Italy, in Rome, this afternoon.
Sean O'Brien tweaked his hamstring during a rucking drill on the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico. O'Brien has played just two games all season - Glasgow (for Leinster) and England Saxons (for Wolfhounds).
He was drafted into the Ireland team on Thursday after Jamie Heaslip failed to train fully on Tuesday. Tommy O'Donnell has replaced him in the team. Robbie Diack is now on the bench.
Ireland lead 9-3 at half-time after Ian Keatley slotted three from three from the kicking tee. Kelly Haimona responded for the hosts.
Keatley made it 12-3 after the break before the Italian resistance finally wilted, late on. Conor Murray and Tommy O'Donnell scored the tries to make it 26-3 and the defence held on in the closing stages.
Interesting…. The big news in Irish rugby yesterday was the possibility of Ireland poaching one of the hottest prospects in Australia, tighthead prop Massimo De Lutiis. Reports have said that the IRFU have made contact his club, the Queensland Reds, but there have been no contract discussions with the 22-year-old himself. However, due to the […]
This would be some steal. It is being reported from Australia that Ireland are bidding to poach one of the brightest rugby prospects in the country. Daily Telegraph journalist, Jamie Pandaram, has said that the IRFU are looking to bring the Irish-qualified Massimo De Lutiis to these shores in an ‘eye-watering’ deal. The 22-year-old Queensland […]
He was not happy… Leicester Tigers travelled to play Gloucester at Villa Park in the English Premiership this afternoon. The visitors, who are third in the league, finished as 17-36 winners. However, there was a touch of controversy before the game when TNT presenter Liam MacDevitt took a penalty kick at the goal posts, under […]