Half-Time Report: Ireland lead Italy by four points at half time

Ireland hold a 10-6 lead over Italy at half time of their Rugby World Cup match.

It took nine minutes for Ireland to gain the lead when Jonny Sexton put a penalty through the posts, after Ireland were stopped near the tryline.

Tommasso Allan levelled the scores six minutes later, after the ball was illegally forced out of a maul by the Irish defence.

Keith Earls scored the first try of the match in the 19th minute, breaking through the Italy defence after a pass out wide from Tommy Bowe.

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Italy won another penalty five minutes later when Paul O'Connell did not roll away after tackling Josh Furno, and Tommasso Allan sent it through the posts once again.

Sexton had a chance to extend Ireland's lead in the 33rd minute but his kick bounced off the post.

Written by
Jonathan McIntosh