Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says Saturday’s gritty win over Italy in the Six Nations “showed that we’re able to back ourselves”.
Farrell’s side started their Six Nations with a humbling defeat by France and they trailed Italy by five points at the break in Dublin.
However, tries from Jack Conan and Robert Baloucoune put them in front and the Irish defence held firm to win 20-13 despite late Italian pressure.
Farrell said the “character” shown by his side in the second half was “the bigger-picture stuff”.
“We were playing against an Italian side who were never going to go away, and recent history shows us that,” Farrell said.
“They were trying to batter the door down at the end there, so the resilience we showed to win the game was fantastic to see.
“The character shown to come back and have the courage to play the type of rugby we played was very encouraging.”
Farrell said Ireland had “too many errors” at points in the game but was pleased with how his side responded to the France defeat.
Fly-half Sam Prendergast had a difficult afternoon in Dublin and he was replaced by Jack Crowley on 55 minutes.
The Munster fly-half kicked five points in a strong showing off the bench, and Farrell thought Crowley was “outstanding” despite a late scuffed penalty kick to touch that ended the game by going out of play in the in-goal area when Ireland were chasing a try with the clock in the red.
“I’m actually gutted for him and he normally wouldn’t do that,” Farrell said.
“It was a bit of a shank, but it won’t be the overriding thought that I take from Jack’s game – I thought he was outstanding when he came on.”
Farrell said he was “delighted” for player of the match Baloucoune, who scored what was ultimately the decisive try on his Six Nations debut for Ireland.
“He’s had a few caps before, but it was stop-start for him when the talent is there for everyone to see when he puts the Ulster jersey on,” Farrell added.
“It’s very pleasing for him, and for the rest of us, to see him believe in himself and back himself, not only beating people and scoring tries but beating people in the air and his defensive decision-making.”
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