IRELAND LOCK JAMES RYAN has admitted that Italy have improved as a rugby team in the wake of Ireland's 34-20 win in the Six Nations on Saturday.
Ireland normally put 30+ points past the Italians every year, but yesterday Andy Farrell's side were made to sweat for their win in Rome.
Italy were always in the game despite conceding 4 tries against Ireland in the first half.
The Irish scored four tries before half-time through Ryan, Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen, but Italy's Stephen Varney and Pierre Bruno kept the Kieran Crowley's side in the game
🗣️ 'Defensively, that was one of the toughest performances we've had for a while'
James Ryan was delighted with the impact from the bench against Italy, and with the support around him as captain of the side | ☘️
🎙️ @ashoreilly@VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/NtYR5ZGBoZ— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 25, 2023
The game score was 17-24 to Ireland at half-time.
Ireland had to huff and puff throughout the second half and near the end of the second half Hansen made sure of the result with a late try to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive
Ryan, who was captain in place of Johnny Sexton claimed that he could see massive improvements from Italy at the Stadio Olympico.
"We won’t be looking for any excuses in terms guys coming in or out. The guys who played today did a good job to get the result, "said Ryan after the game.
"We can see how much Italy have improved; it was a proper game.
"I think we were a little unlucky to go in 24-17 up, we left a couple of scores out there and they got an intercept. Look, that's what happens but I thought we showed good grit in the second half to get a result and grind out a win."
Ireland's next game will be against Scotland in Edinburgh. round 4
The Six Nations will take another break before then Ireland's game against Scotland takes place on March 12
"We have another two weeks now to prepare for what is a massive game for us, against Scotland in Edinburgh," added Ryan
"We'll enjoy tonight, amazing Irish support over here today, we really appreciate it, makes some difference. We’ll come back in next week and start looking at Scotland."
Watch all the best bits from Stadio Olimpico as we secured a bonus point win over Italy ⬇️#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 25, 2023
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