Chances are the bus turned up on time.
Ireland cantered to victory in Rome with a 63-10 victory, and in doing so created a bit of history. After becoming the first team to collect a losing bonus point in Six Nations history last weekend, today Ireland earned the first four-try bonus point in the competition's history. It was all wrapped up before half-time, indicative of Ireland getting their arse in gear from the outset following last week's stumbling out of the Murrayfield blocks.
Italy, however, were atrocious (they have yet to win a second-round game in the Six Nations), and while this game tells us little about Ireland that we didn't already know, it does raise questions about Wales, who trailed in Rome for long periods before winning without a bonus point.
That is a battle yet to come, but Ireland head for the break with six points on the board. Here are the Irish player ratings.
Rob Kearney - 6.5
Not tested in the air, and his defence was not exactly put under a microscope by the Italians, but his passing was frustratingly errant: a poor ball out to Zebo butchered the chance of getting the first try on the board earlier, while a simple second-half ball off his right to Craig Gilroy ended up flying forward and out of play.
He left ninety seconds early, and might be a doubt for the French game.
Keith Earls - 8
An eerily deadly assassin in the first-half from the wing, converting two tries from two opportunities. He saw a lot more of the ball in the second-half when he reverted to centre in Henshaw's absence, where his defensive line speed was as outstanding as Ringrose's.
Garry Ringrose - 8.5
After his difficult first-half in Murrayfield, this was a much more enjoyable afternoon for Ringrose: his defensive line speed was outstanding, making crucial turnover tackles in each half. Relatively quiet from an attacking point of view in the first-half, before exploding in the second: a sensational line and break for his try, and before that had contributed two offloads in one move just shy of the hour mark, which is a notable contribution within the limits of the usual Schmidt gameplan. O'Driscoll-esque (Sorry - Ed).
Robbie Henshaw - 7
Henshaw's ability to bosh through the middle and gobble up a few precious yards will have Warren Gatland scribbling notes with intent. A delightful loop around to receive a Heaslip offload in the build-up to the second try a bittersweet vision of what could have been on that butchered Heaslip break in Murrayfield. Made way for Gilroy on 46 minutes.
Simon Zebo - 8
Electric. He plucked a Murray pass out of the skies within 14 seconds and that set the tone for a superb performance. There is much talk of Ireland's leadership group, but on this basis, Zebo belongs within it, such was his appetite to be a first receiver. His flat pass to Stander for the second try was utterly perfect. Ireland did well to create one-on-one situations between Zebo and his opposite number Esposito, who tonight will have his dreams haunted by the Munster man's dancing feet.
Paddy Jackson - 8.5
Having sat a bit deep against Scotland, Jackson reveled in the momentum Ireland gained from virtually every ruck. His passing was flat, and at times, impeccable: see the cut-out pass for Earls on the first try. Goal-kicking spot-on, too. He even nailed the kicks he fluffed. He even beguiled his performance with a turnover on Parisse to end Italy's longest spell of pressure midway through the second-half.
Conor Murray - 8
Murray's feet moved faster than most of the Italian minds, so was utterly dominant. His kicking was more or less spot-on, his passing effective and varied (see that delightful pass to Stander for the fifth try) and made way for Marmion with ten minutes to play. Will likely have Sexton back alongside him against the French.
Cian Healy - 7.5
Vintage performance from DJ Church. It’s been two years since he wore the green #1 jersey in a Six Nations game but he was savage in the scrum and clearing out the ruck. In with a shout of starting against the French.
Niall Scannell - 7.5
A very assured debut. Was everywhere during Ireland’s first half dominance: cementing Ireland’s early scrum dominance, anchoring the rolling maul, making line breaks. Rory Best will be 36 by the time the 2019 World Cup rolls around, and Scannell laid down an early marker for the #2 jersey in Japan
Tadhg Furlong - 7
We had the thought that this is currently Ireland’s greatest ever scrum during the first half. So much of that is down to Furlong. He was not the same raging bull with the ball in hand but he didn’t need to be. Subbed off after 53 minutes to preserve him for future battles.
Donnacha Ryan - 6.5
Ireland just feel meaner and nastier with Ryan in the team. His clean take on the first Irish lineout helped settle Ireland into a period of dominance. Yellow card for collapsing the scrum
Devin Toner - 6 (60)
On a day of huge Ireland dominance in the pack, Toner’s most memorable moments were snafus: the penalty lead to Italy’s three points and a 37th minute lineout disaster.
CJ Stander - 9.5
Played like he had a point to prove. Stander utterly ravaged the Italian backline to produce one of the greatest statistical performances ever by an Ireland player. ROG-esque kick to set up Gilroy try was the icing on the cake.
Sean O’Brien - 7
Started the wheels in motion on Gilroy’s try. Carried for 35 yards and ploughed through the puny Italian gainline like a freight train.
Jamie Heaslip - 7.5
Back to his very best today after a hiccup in Murrayfield. Captained Ireland in Best’s absence and made a number of punishing linebreaks. Even pulled off a slick overload to Henshaw in the 18th minute to make Ireland fans forget last week’s horror show.
Subs
Jack McGrath - 7 - 51
Made 7 tackles in a cameo with the game long won.
John Ryan - 7
Reliable again deputising for Furlong. Developing into the real deal.
Ultan Dillane - 7
Showed sparks of fitness carrying the ball that we didn’t see last week. Promising with the big dogs to come.
Josh van der Flier - 7
Prominent on Ireland’s final try. Game was completely gone by the time he stepped onto the pitch.
Craig Gilroy - 8
A half-hour hat-trick! Gilroy took his first try with a beautiful step, and his second from a CJ Stander (!) kick, and his third from a lovely looping Jackson pass. He would have been given a ten had an audacious blind offload on the right touchline gone to hand. It didn't, but a solid outing against a pathetic set of lads nonetheless.
Kieran Marmion - 7
Replaced Murray, and kept the late break that ended in Gilroy's hat-trick try flowing nicely.
Ian Keatley - N/A
Got five minutes on the left wing once adorned by Peter O'Mahony as he came on for Zebo.
