Ian Keatley converted four penalties on his Six Nations debut to set holders Ireland on the way to a dour 26-3 win over an uninspiring Italy yesterday.
Keatley kicked Ireland into a 12-3 lead to break Italy's resolve, then Conor Murray and Tommy O'Donnell scored tries after the hosts had hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini sent to the sin bin.
Italy finished with a flourish and Kelly Haimona thought he had scored a try, but it was ruled out because of the faintest of knock-ons by Sergio Parisse amid jeers from the Stadio Olimpico crowd.
Italy, who lost all their Six Nations matches last year, made too many elementary mistakes and never looked capable of repeating their 22-15 win of two years ago.
Ireland suffered a blow before the start when Sean O'Brien, set to make his first international appearance for 15 months after undergoing two shoulder reconstructions, suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up and was replaced by O'Donnell.
"It was a slog. Any time you come to Rome you're expecting a slog but we knew if we kept chipping away, we'd break them down," Ireland's Rob Kearney told the BBC.
Keatley gave Ireland an early lead after George Biagi got into an offside position in what became a frustrating routine for the hosts.
Ireland were awarded another penalty when Luke McLean picked up the ball in an offside position. Keatley confidently sent his kick between the posts.
He increased the lead to nine points after Italy gave away another penalty for offside when second-row forward Joshua Furno got on the wrong side of a maul.
Italy enjoyed a spell of pressure just before half time and were rewarded when, after an Irish infringement at the maul, Haimona got them on the scoreboard with the last kick of the half.
France limped to an unspectacular 15-8 victory over a spirited Scotland in the Six Nations match at Stade de France yesterday.
The Scots continued their recent improvement under New Zealand coach Vern Cotter with a solid defensive display that frustrated France.
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