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Ireland record biggest ever win against Italy in the Six Nations

Aoife Dalton, right, and Ruth Campbell of Ireland celebrate their side's second try, scored by Neve Jones, during the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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Ireland claimed their first Six Nations away win since 2021 against a deflated Italian side in Parma, with Anna McGann claiming a hat-trick as Ireland swept aside the Azurri 54-12 in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

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The Irish last celebrated success on the road in the 2021 tournament and were coming off defeat to France in the opening round but put together a fine all-round performance as they ran in eight tries at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

McGann crossed twice in the first half and finished things up with another late score in the closing moments, while Dannah O’Brien slotted seven conversions in a near flawless kicking display.

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Italy were up against it from the off, Valeria Fedrighi sent to the sin bin in the opening minutes after a high tackle, and Aoife Dalton was first to take advantage. The 21-year-old centre not only crossed the white wash but made numerous carries and tackles in an all round performance which saw her awarded player of the match.

McGann followed with her first two tries and Amee-Leigh Costigan also snuck through, while Sofia Stefan added the consolation for Italy in a half-time score of 28-5 to the visitors.

Ireland second row Linda Djougang got the scoreboard moving again in the second half as they banked another converted try but was then yellow carded for head contact.

Replacements Dorothy Wall and Brittany Hogan forced their way over as Ireland continued to pile up the points and although Beatrice Rigoni converted her own try to reduce the arrears, McGann sealed things with her third dash to the line.

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NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
'The phoney war on the Greatest Rivalry tour is already gale-force in its intensity.'

2 pretty distinct camps developing around this tour but are NZ concentrating their fire where they should be. South Africa built 114 rucks at the weekend, had 148 carries and forced Argentina into 188 tackles. Argentina made 92% of their tackles and defended like beasts. South Africa also made just 147 passes indicating the one off runner was a big theme behind that thanks to Argentina line speed and a willingness to fan out on defence. The Boks also made 43 kicks, how did they do that while building 114 rucks? Lots of possession thats how. Argentina focused on making tackles and meeting physicality head on in the contact zone, they let the Boks have the rucks and the ball. Springboks also couldnt win the ball back from the contestables, kicked too long, made too many mistakes, retreating catchers taking the ball over their heads worked. Argentina could and perhaps should have drawn despite their scrum and set piece struggling. Even so they gave the All Blacks a template on how to defend the Boks. Their wide attack also exposed space and if they didnt have 16 handling errors they might have done something special. NZ are talking about running the Boks off their feet, playing with tempo and pace and building rucks. Perhaps the best way to beat the Boks is to let them have the ball, make mistakes and then spread it wide using your skill to beat the defence? So my question is, are NZ firing shots on and off the field in the wrong direction playing into the hands of an opponent that wants them to run? Judging by the Stormers game I would say yes.

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