“We have lost because of indiscipline,” said Mallett. “You cannot give away 16 penalties because you will never win against anyone, not even Portugal.”

Italy full-back Andrea Masi was shown a yellow card just 40 seconds into the game after a clothes-line tackle on Ireland full-back Rob Kearney and, shortly before the break, Italy prop Salvatore Perugini was sent to the sin-bin for infringing at the line-out.

“We had two players who received a yellow card in the first half and I am disappointed by our indiscipline,” added the coach.

“I think unfortunately we are up against good opponents and when they take their chances we are in trouble.”

Mallett felt his team should have led at the break but fly-half Luke McLean missed a penalty and then Luke Fitzgerald scored a try right on the stroke of half-time to hand Ireland a 14-9 lead.

“We made mistakes in the first half,” added the South African.

“I was not happy with how we gave away Ireland’s first try following the interception of a pass meant for Mirco Bergamasco. That mistake gave Ireland seven points and that hurt us.”

Italy failed to score in the second period and were torn apart by three Irish tries – one early on and then two in the final four minutes.

“We didn’t disappear in the second half but we got many penalties against us,” added Mallett.

“But we didn’t lose because we gave away two tries late in the game.”

Italy know they need to put in a lot of hard hours on the training ground if they are to have a chance in their next match on February 28 against Scotland at Murrayfield.

“We have to concentrate on improving our game,” added Mallett.

“Our passes are not accurate and the interceptions are our fault. In a fast game that can cost you.”

The Azzurri returned triumphant from their last visit to Edinburgh in 2007 - their only away win since joining the championship in 2000 – but Mallett insists Scotland, who have also lost both their matches so far in this year’s tournament, will prove a formidable obstacle for his side.

“In this tournament every game is going to be hard,” he said. “We have to be organised and we cannot forget that even though they lost Scotland played well against France yesterday.

“We simply have to get better with the players we have.”

Mallett took few positives from Italy’s first home game at the Stadio Flaminio in 2009.

“In the first half I saw so much courage and willingness from my players,” he said.

“But it’s clear that my players cannot defend for 60 minutes – my players were very tired in the last stages of the game.

“We have to remain close to teams in the score to have a chance to win.”