No pleasing some chaps
Ireland kicked off their Six Nations defence, in Rome, with a 26-3 win over a middling Italy side today.
As Irish players and pundits predicted, midweek, a hard slog would be required to wear Italy down before exploiting the gaps late on. It did not make for great viewing but most supporters will accept that it was a case of 'job done' and lots to improve on.
RTE pundit George Hook, however, was not impressed with this afternoon's fare. 'Let's be honest,' he began, 'Ireland are a major rugby nation, taking on a lowly rugby nation.'
Hook, who formerly coached the USA and Connacht, stated that Italy needed to dominate the set-pieces if they were to stand a chance. They did not, he declared, and their own line-out was 'a shambles'.
Hook was not convinced by Ireland's centre partnership, replacement out-half Ian Madigan and just about every player in green. Referring to Ireland's next match, against France, on February 14, he proclaimed, 'Next week we're playing against a real rugby team... Italy were terrible.'
