Cliodhna Moloney: ‘Italy at home absolutely a game Ireland should win’

If Ireland can continue on the trajectory that they’re currently headed in, then Italy at home is absolutely a game they should win.

They really showed a lot of promise in the 38-17 defeat. While I would have said before the tournament that Scotland was the game for Ireland to target, after watching Scotland narrowly defeat Wales last week, it is now very much Italy to target for the first win.

Ireland and Italy have some characteristics in common.

Both put in great defensive efforts last week against the top two teams in the Six Nations in England and France.

Both have had changes to their coaching staff and both look more structured.

Italy are a very creative team and Beatrice Rigoni is a bit like the French scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus in the way she moves and creates space, so she is one player Ireland need to be aware of.

I don’t think it will be high scoring, but if Ireland can focus on really aggressive sustained periods of defence, and put greater emphasis on not coughing up possession in the line-out, they should be in a position to launch attacks.

Jones impressed against France

Ireland scored as many tries last weekend as they’ve ever scored away to France in the Six Nations. The effort and commitment in defence was very impressive.

Neve Jones deserves special mention with 23 tackles and she also stopped two French tries, once holding them up over the line out wide and another when she won a penalty with a jackal under the posts, both in the first half.

You can’t expect anyone to be able to sustain that pressure for the whole game, particularly when France were able to bring on quality players and have the speed out wide, but Ireland can take so many positives out of their defence. No doubt the improvements are a result of having Declan Danaher as defence coach.

One criticism of Ireland is they lacked a little bit of specific preparation for the traits of the French players.

For as long as I can remember Bourdon Sansus has been known as a fast-moving, attacking, manipulative scrum-half who creates space around her.

It led to two tries – the first inside Ireland’s ’22’ and as the maul rumbled forward, first defender Aoife Dalton gave her too much space resulting in the opening try.

For the second try, she created space for Marine Menager by scooting from the ruck and while Aoife Wafer tackled her, it created space between the ruck and the first defender.

It’s not a huge issue but it’s good to prep for individual players’ key traits and because Ireland didn’t do that, Italy may also target the weakness that Bourdon Sansus exposed.

While the overall defensive effort was brilliant, those two tries in particular feel soft when you’re putting in such a valiant defensive elsewhere.

‘Ireland must improve poor line-out’

As for the line-out, I can’t mask it any other way than to say it is poor and it is a problem.

Ireland will struggle if it stays that way.

That concern can seep into a squad, players can get nervous and jittery if timings are off, and I hope Ireland don’t end up in that position.

Sam Monaghan is coming back in after missing the France game with concussion and that will help massively.

She is a big player and playing at a very high level in England with Gloucester-Hartpury. Her return will bring lots of improvements and confidence in this area and is well-timed, because Italy performed well against England in the line-out, and England have one of the best in the world.

Ireland kicking game ‘the smart thing to do’

Some people who weren’t used to seeing a territory battle in the women’s game weren’t happy with Ireland’s kicking game, but it’s the smart thing to do.

You can’t be playing in your own ’22’ – it’s just too risky. There is lots to be gained out of correctly engaging in a kicking battle.

It’s very interesting that Nicole Fowley and Dannah O’Brien changed over at fly-half at half time. It’s unusual to change at the break, but it was obviously pre-planned as a tactical decision.

That’s not a luxury Ireland have had before because they have struggled with strength in depth or having a quality 10 who understands 15s rugby.

They’ve struggled to find one, never mind two, so for Scott Bemand to have two now is a real step forward. They offer different things as well and are both great kickers.

Dannah being a left-footed kicker adds another dimension as well. I wouldn’t have expected her to kick better than Nicole, but Dannah did have slightly better execution.

‘It will be a tight game’

The scrum battle this weekend will be evenly contested and while Italy lost 48-0 to England, they actually performed well in areas that could hurt Ireland.

It certainly won’t be a runaway win for Ireland, it will be quite tight, but if they can build their performance against France they have every reason to believe they can claim their first Six Nations win in two years.

Cliodhna Moloney was speaking to BBC Sport NI’s Orla Bannon.