Ireland ‘trying a bit too hard’ in Italy win – Easterby

The visitors won by a bonus-point in Rome after scoring a Dan Sheehan hat-trick, but they once more struggled to convert following their disappointing defeat by France last week.

Easterby said his side were “trying to force things” because they needed to get as much of a win as possible and hoped other results would help them retain their title.

Regardless of the outcome, England’s bonus-point victory over Wales in Cardiff later in the day put an end to Ireland’s chances of winning.

You can sometimes make passes stick or make one more pass at the line, Easterby said.

“Credit to Italy, they put pressure on us, and we didn’t handle it as well as we should have.”

Skipper Caelan Doris noted that while title scenarios weren’t particularly important during the week, they did have an impact as the game progressed.

Ireland trailed 12-10 at break thanks to scores from Hugo Keenan and Sheehan, who scored through Monty Ioane’s try in the 12th minute.

Ireland couldn’t press home their advantage, so Sheehan scored two second-half tries to bring the win home. The victory required a defensive stand, however.

Due to the respect we have for Italy and their attack, what their capable of, said Doris, who felt the need to rack up points.

Given how the first 20 to 30 minutes went, there was probably a sense that we wanted to convert when the opportunity came up, despite the fact that “it was very much ” result first.”

“There might have been some a little forced stuff out there.” There were a lot of last-minute passes that weren’t made. Why? I’m not sure if it’s forcing me to do something.

In Cardiff last month, Ireland won their first three games of the championship, earning the Triple Crown over Wales.

However, France’s crushing defeat in round four ended their hopes of a Grand Slam.

“I think there has been a lot of good stuff,” Doris of the campaign as a whole said.

“We won the Triple Crown within that, and our first three games were very positive,” he said.