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Larmour sparkles as Ireland thrash Italy

Ireland full-back Jordan Larmour (Getty Images)
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Jordan Larmour scored a hat-trick in his first Ireland start as Italy were consigned to a 54-7 drubbing in Chicago on Saturday.

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Larmour was outstanding at full-back in a much-changed Ireland side, laying on a five-pointer for Luke McGrath and helping himself to his first international tries in the second half.

The Six Nations champions, captained by Rhys Ruddock with Rory Best and Jonny Sexton among the key men to be rested, scored six of their eight tries after the break in a rout at Soldier Field – where Ireland beat New Zealand two years ago.

Tadhg Beirne marked his first Test start with a double, with Sean Cronin and Garry Ringrose also crossing for a youthful Ireland side.

Joey Carbery booted 10 points, with stand-in skipper Michele Campagnaro’s converted try all Italy could muster on a tough afternoon for former Ireland coach Conor O’Shea.

Ireland came out firing on all cylinders and took just five minutes to score the opening try, Beirne burrowing his way over from close range.

Italy kept Joe Schmidt’s side at bay until the lively Larmour showed quick feet and burst away with an incisive break before setting up McGrath for Ireland’s second try.

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Ireland were only 14-7 up at the break after Campagnaro got the Azzurri on the board by intercepting a loose pass from Ruddock and coasting in for a gift of a try.

Two tries in quick succession knocked the stuffing out of Italy early in the second half, though, the onrushing Beirne picking a great line to break through and go over again before the alert Larmour showed great anticipation to grab a stray Campagnaro pass and scamper away for his first Ireland try.

Cronin ploughed his way over when Ireland were forced back by a driving maul and the brilliant Larmour scored two classy solo tries to either side of a Ringrose score as Ireland ran riot, replacement fly-half Ross Byrne twice adding the extras on his debut.

In other news:

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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