February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mark Jones
DUBLIN — Ireland limped to an unconvincing 39-30 victory over Italy in last Saturday’s rugby international at Lansdowne Road, but there was better news for the Irish following the last series of matches in the last ever Five Nations championship.
With Wales beating favorites England, 32-31, in a dramatic game at Wembley and Scotland upsetting France by 36-22 in Paris, Scotland were crowned champions, with Ireland finishing fourth ahead of France who astonishingly were left with the wooden spoon.
Italy, who make it a Six Nations even next season, were 23-8 in front at one stage before Ireland finally woke up to score four second-half tries by Conor O’Shea (2), Girvan Dempsey and captain Paddy Johns.
It was another mistake-ridden performance by Johns and his team who undertake a four-match tour of Australia in early June.
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