DUBLIN: Ireland took pole position for their first Six Nations title in five years with a crushing 46-7 win over Italy yesterday as talismanic centre Brian O’Driscoll became the most capped player ever in his final home game.
O’Driscoll made decisive passes to set up three of the home side’s seven tries and sparked the biggest cheer of the day when he left the field after 62 minutes to end his world record 140th game for Ireland.
Jonathan Sexton scored two tries, with Andrew Trimble, Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Fergus McFadden and Jack McGrath also touching down. An early try by Leonardo Sarto and some fierce Italian defending failed to dampen the Irish party.
An Irish victory over France in Paris in the last match of the championship next week would give O’Driscoll the dream end to his glittering career, unless England, France or Wales can win twice and claw back a deficit of over 60 points.
A huge poster paying tribute to the centre known to his legion of fans simply as BOD was paraded around the field and the crowd roared its approval every time he got the ball.
“Unfortunately it has to end at some stage, but it’s great to go out at home with a big win,” O’Driscoll said as he picked up his man of the match award. “There is a championship in this team,” he said.
A narrow defeat by England at Twickenham two weeks ago ended O’Driscoll’s hopes of adding to his 2009 Grand Slam, but Ireland’s superior point difference makes them early favourites to take the championship.
England, Ireland’s main rivals for the title, host two-times defending champions Wales today.
Agencies
