Six Nations: Ireland hammer below par Italy and ask: next one, please!

It was an historic occasion for Lacken-man Caelan Doris. The former Ballina RFC player captained Ireland for the first time in his career and steered his team to an easy 36-0 win. Historic also because it is the first time ever that Ireland held Italy scoreless.

Italy was never allowed to get their much fancied attacking game going. Apart from an early break, where the visitors opted for a penalty, which was eventually missed, Ireland never looked in trouble.

Led by Mayo-man Caelan Doris, Ireland disrupted the Italy's set-pieces and again Headcoach Andy Farrell will be pleased about a flawless line-out performance, a 100% success rate again after last week's demolition of France.

Doris did not shine as much as with ball in hand as he did in Marseille, which might have to do with him being fielded as flanker instead of as number eight. This was due to Farreel giving Jack Conan some game time. But Surely Doris' blood-stained jersey yesterday tells the story of a spirited display for him in his first game as Ireland captain.

Even though Ireland cruised to victory and putting the game fairly to bed by half-time, they were not ruthless enough in the oposition half to score even more tries. Without their back-row powerhouses Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone, Italy did not seem up for a real competition up front. A sign, that even though Italy does have plenty of talent, their squad depth fails them when crucial players are out injured. To give credit to Italy: They never surrendered, defended valiantly, and tried to make life difficult for Ireland but it simply wasn't good enough.

It was an historic day out in the Aviva for Jack Crowley as well: The 24-year-old scored his first international try in the sacred green jersey. He always looked comfortable with ball in hand, leaving Italy's defensive line guessing and creating space out wide. Unfortunately Crowley was not able to round off his stellar performance in open play with a convincing record from the kicking tee. This seems to be an area where he needs to be more consistent.

Looking at the quality of the other two matches this weekend, one is left to wonder if there is any team left facing Ireland, that is able to beat Andy Farrell's green machine. Looking at the performances so far, it won't be Ireland's next opponent Wales. Warren Gatland and his young guns travel to Dublin in two weeks and even though his fairly unexperienced side showed signs of hope against England, the general feeling is: A win away in Dublin is too much to ask for at their current state of development.

It seems England away for round four might be Ireland's toughest challenge so far. Steve Borthwick's team surely does not do it pretty, but England have found their way, their identity: Defend hard, make incessant use of the forwards and kick the ball high.

England certainly did not show any interest in getting the back-line going. Scrum-half Alex Mitchell and Fly-half George Ford are comfortable kicking the ball high up, knowing they have full-back Freddie Steward chasing it down and putting maximum pressure on the opponents, often plucking the ball jumping fearlessly into the air.

Ireland will hope, Hugo Keenan will stay fit as his injury substitution is the only worry after the 36-0 routing of Italy. The electric full-back is a worry for the Wales game in two weeks. He will be crucial in defusing England kicking-game come the clash with the old rival at Twickenham. Full-back is a position that Farrell has usually locked for Hugo Keenan. The 27-year old has given his headcoach no reason to doubt him but that means Farrell has not given anyone else a real chance to prove their worth in the number 15 jersey.