It looks like I chose the right game to attend last night as Ireland Women recorded their first victory in the RBS Six Nations Series with an emphatic 40 – 10 win over Italy in Ashbourne, Co Meath, last night.

Though Italy enjoyed large periods of possession they were unable to make their territorial advantage count, and Ireland countered with commendable pace and precision to run six tries past their opponents.

Indeed, Ireland could have added another couple of scores as their opponents tired in the final quarter with , Ulster players, Nikki Caughey and Ashleigh Baxter coming close in a barnstorming finish.

There was, however one significant downside for Ireland, namely the number of penalties they conceded at the breakdown.

The shear volume of penalties resulted in two Irish players being sent to the bin during the game and the failure to adapt to the referee’s interpretation of rolling away at the breakdown kept their opponents in Irish territory for long periods.

With ball in hand it was a different matter for Ireland, and the girls in green gave an indication of things to come with a try in the opening minutes with lock Marie Louise Reilly going over after three minutes. The impressive Niamh Briggs slotted over the conversion to give Ireland a 7 – 0 lead.

Italy worked their way back into the game keeping Ireland pinned deep in their half but the visitors failed to make their territorial advantage count falling short with a couple of penalty attempts.

On the fifteen minute mark a scintillating break and quick hands saw Joy Neville send Niamh Kavanagh over for Ireland’s second and Briggs added the extras to put Ireland 14 – 0 clear.

The pattern continued with Ireland defending strongly in their own 22 and on the half hour mark they broke out again this time for Neville to pick up a loose ball near the Italian line and dot down for Ireland’s third. Briggs, enjoying a great night with the boot, added the third and Ireland had an extraordinary 21 – 0 lead.

Again Italy set up camp deep in Ireland’s half and the pressure resulted in Ailis Egan taking a ten minute break after repeated infringements from Ireland. Italy made the pressure count with Cristina Molic crossing for Italy’s try to take the score to 21 – 7 at the break.

Italy threw everything at getting a score at the start of the second half and their pressure was made to count with the hugely impressive Claire Molloy being sent to the bin soon after the return of Egan.

Ireland defended strongly with Ashleigh Baxter prominent with some crunching tackles but the Italians did manage to cut Ireland’s advantage with a well taken drop goal from Michela Tondinelli after 15 minutes.

Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly cut short as Ireland cut loose in the final quarter. First, scrum half, Amy Davis dashed over after a great break from Alison Miller to put Ireland 26 – 10 ahead and shortly after Kavanagh added her second try with 8 minutes to go.

With Ireland emptying the bench the fresh legs cut through the Italian defence and it looked as though Baxter had secured Ireland’s sixth after a crash up the middle by Kavanagh and Caughey. Unfortunately the final pass was called forward to the boos of the photographers!

Replacement Jennifer Murphy did find the sixth after a powerful run from the newcomer and Ulster’s Grace Davitt capped a fine all round performance adding the extras with the last kick of the game to give Ireland their 40 – 10 win.

Amy Davis Score

2012 Women Six Nations As It Stands

TEAM	PL	W	PD	PTS
England	3	3	120	6
France	2	2	33	4
Ireland	2	1	29	2
Wales	2	1	(13)	2
Scotland	2	0	(67)	0
Italy	3	0	(102)	0

Ireland Squad

Ireland Women: Ashleigh Baxter, Niamh Kavanagh, Niamh Briggs, Grace Davitt, Alison Miller, Lynne Cantwell, Amy Davis, Fiona Coghlan, Gillian Bourke, Ailis Egan, Marie Louise Reilly, Sophie Spence, Laura Guest, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville. Replacements: Paula Fitzpatrick, Ruth O’Reilly, Siobhan Fleming, Heather O’Brien, Larissa Muldoon, Nikki Caughey, Jennifer Murphy

Match Gallery