By Padraic Halpin
DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland eased into the defence of their Six Nations title on Saturday without truly cutting loose during a 29-11 victory over Italy at Croke Park that extended their unbeaten run to 12 test matches.
Ireland were whitewashed when they last attempted to defend a championship 24 years ago but early tries from Jamie Heaslip and Tomas O'Leary and a flawless first half of kicking from Ronan O'Gara ensured there would be no repeat.
"(There is) plenty to improve on but there's no point in getting frustrated. It's the first one. Job done," Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll told a news conference.
Italy pegged back the lead thanks to a charged-down Kaine Robertson try just before the break and kept the hosts at bay for much of a dull second period.
However without injured captain Sergio Parisse, their most influential player, the Italians were unable to do much more than contain the hosts who last year won their first Grand Slam since 1948.
"At 23-8 down at halftime, there was a real possibility that we could have conceded another two or three tries and the fact that we didn't is something I'm very proud of," Italy coach Nick Mallet said.
Ireland started quick and free but Italy were first to exert pressure in the opposition 22 and with a little more composure could have troubled the Irish try line within five minutes.
O'GARA PENALTY
However Ireland's scrum, badly exposed in unbeaten November matches against Australia and South Africa, stood up to the test against the imposing Italian eight to allow O'Gara to cross the 500 championship points mark with his first penalty.
O'Gara was the architect of Ireland's opening try, superbly putting returning wing Andrew Trimble through on an initial burst before the ball reached Heaslip to cross over on the opposite flank.
The Italian scrum regained its poise on 25 minutes offering their Australian-born, rugby league-converted flyhalf Craig Gower the opportunity to mark his Six Nations debut by succeeding with an impressive penalty from distance.
An equally impressive take from the resulting kick off by British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell led to the quickest of replies with a second O'Gara penalty restoring the 10-point advantage.
Minutes later O'Gara added another penalty, given for a dangerous tackle that sent Italian centre Gonzalo Garcia to the sin bin, and Ireland exploited the numerical advantage for their second try.
Leinster captain Leo Cullen, making his first Six Nations start for seven years, had already twice stolen line-outs from the Italians but this time the opposing throw fell straight into his hands and O'Leary scored from the resulting breakdown.
The champions looked out of sight but fullback Rob Kearney's casual kick was charged down metres from the Irish line to allow wing Robertson to trim the host's halftime lead to 23-8.
The sides exchanged penalties early in the second half with O'Gara matching Mirco Bergamasco's successful effort before the game descended into a scrappy period of kick and chase.
Replacement flyhalf Paddy Wallace added the final three points 13 minutes from time.
Ireland face tougher tests before returning to Croke Park in March with a trip to France next weekend and England on February 27.
(Editing by Alison Wildey)
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