"A win is a win, and not for a minute would I dare attempt to underplay its significance. But despite Ireland eventually coming out on top in a showing of 'greater intent', I think it's plain to see that Ireland and Italy are moving in opposite directions at the highest level."
"Much has been made of Jack Crowley's last-minute miskick to the corner (in search of a bonus point), but the reality is that this was a match that could easily have gone either way."
Ireland secured a win while both teams displayed closely matched performance. Ireland demonstrated greater intent and ultimately came out on top, but Italy’s play suggested contrasting momentum and development at the highest level. The result was narrow and the contest remained finely balanced throughout. Jack Crowley’s last-minute miskick to the corner, an attempt to secure a bonus point, drew attention, yet the key reality is that the outcome could easily have swung the other way. The match outcome conceals deeper trends in form and trajectory between the two national sides.
Read at Independent
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]