Six Nations news: Michael Lowry scores brace on debut as Ireland thrash Italy
- Planet Sport writer
- 27 February 2022
Ireland returned to winning ways in the Six Nations after annihilating 13-man Italy 57-6 in Dublin.
Ulster full-back Michael Lowry, who made his Ireland debut, and James Lowe claimed two tries apiece. Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park, stand-in captain Peter O'Mahony, Ryan Baird and Kieran Treadwell also stamped their names onto the scoresheet.
A one-sided affair was ruined by the Azzurri being forced to play two men light for three quarters of the afternoon after Hame Faiva was sent off for a high tackle on Dan Sheehan, having replaced fellow hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi due to injury.
Those premature departures led to uncontested scrums and, under World Rugby rules, necessitated the removal of a second player, with number eight Toa Halafihi the man sacrificed.
Penalties from Edoardo Padovani and Paolo Garbisi were scant consolation for the depleted Italians as they slipped to a 100th Six Nations defeat and 35th in succession.
Ireland fly-half Carbery - making a second-successive start in the number 10 jersey - kicked two conversions, with replacement Johnny Sexton adding a further eight points, as Andy Farrell's men bounced back from their 30-24 defeat in France a fortnight ago.
Les Bleus remain in pole position for championship glory as the only team still with Grand Slam aspirations intact.
But this routine nine-try victory - secured in unusual circumstances - keeps up the pressure on Fabien Galthie's table-toppers ahead of Ireland's Twickenham showdown with fellow title hopefuls England in just under two weeks.
