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Furlong and Henshaw injured in comfortable Ireland win

Ireland's Tadhg Furlong. Photo / Getty Images

Ireland dished out a 56-19 Six Nations thrashing to Italy in Dublin on Saturday, but Joe Schmidt’s side face an anxious wait after Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw were taken off injured.

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Furlong appeared in some discomfort when he limped off the field inside five minutes clutching at his leg, but the hosts quickly returned to the task at hand to inflict a tournament-record-equalling 14th consecutive loss on Italy.

Henshaw and Conor Murray both profited from excellent Jack McGrath passes to touch down, with Jonathan Sexton – the last-gasp drop-goal hero of the opening win over France – splitting the posts with each of the conversions.

A rout looked likely when Bundee Aki’s diagonal run took him over and Sexton stretched Ireland’s lead to 21 points with as many minutes gone.

Aki turned provider to set up Keith Earls for a bonus-point try in the closing stages of a one-sided first half, with Italy coach Conor Shea – who won 35 caps for Ireland – coming in for heavy punishment against his countrymen.

Another Henshaw try arrived soon after the restart when Sergio Parisse’s pass was cut out, but he hurt his arm in the process and had to go off as Ireland’s fitness worries mounted.

After captain Rory Best recorded his ninth international try, Italy finally got off the mark as Tommaso Allan went over despite suspicions of a forward pass, only for Jacob Stockdale to promptly restore order.

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Parisse atoned for his error by setting up Edoardo Gori, with questions again raised over the crucial pass, and there was still time for another Stockdale score before Matteo Minozzi had the final say.

The hosts were dealt an early blow as the influential Furlong was forced off injured, with Leinster’s Andrew Porter taking his place.

Ireland underlined their intent when Sexton opted against going for the posts with a presentable kicking opportunity and they managed to build up a head of steam after the fly-half found touch.

Following concerted pressure, Henshaw burst through the line and Sexton added the extras, with Italy looking much poorer than in last weekend’s 46-15 reverse to reigning champions England.

A superb interchange of passes on the left flank saw Ireland slice through their opponents once again in the 13th minute, Murray the beneficiary after collecting a reverse pass from McGrath.

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The one-way traffic continued through Aki’s converted score and he laid on another try for Earls before the break.

It took just a few minutes of the second half for Ireland to increase their advantage, Henshaw intercepting Parisse’s pass before racing away to double his tally, falling heavily as he dotted down.

Henshaw’s withdrawal afforded Jordan Larmour a maiden international outing and Ireland’s dominance continued, with Best grabbing a rare five-pointer, although Allan quickly responded in a brief moment of Italian resistance.

Stockdale’s late double came either side of Gori’s try and, despite Minozzi’s late effort, Ireland will be buoyant ahead of Wales’ visit to the Aviva Stadium next time out.

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Joe Schmidt reveals extent of Furlong and Henshaw injuries

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JW 33 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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