Key Moment: It was never a matter of whether Ireland would win this encounter with an Italy side which had lost 13 Six Nations games in succession but how difficult Conor O'Shea's team would make it for the home side at the Aviva Stadium. Not difficult at all, it turned out, the Azzurri meekly surrendering inside the first quarter hour with Irish four-try bonus point following in the 35th minute.

Talking point: This resounding victory gives Ireland plenty of momentum heading into the fallow week, when thoughts will turn towards the visit of Wales on February 23. It was a welcome return to form after the previous week's disappointing performance in Paris, rescued by Johnn Sexton's epic drop goal but the concession of three late tries to a previously toothless Italian side gives Ireland plenty to ponder before the Welsh arrive in Dublin.

Key man: No heroics from Johnny Sexton this week but a perfect five conversions from the tee as his half-back partner Conor Murray took the plaudits with a man of the match performance capped by his first-half try taking a sweet reverse pass from No.8 Jack Conan to race down the left wing and put Ireland into a 12-0 lead on 13 minutes. Such was Ireland's dominance that Murray and Sexton were on the field for just 50 minutes, their jobs done as they were withdrawn with their team 35-0 ahead.

Ref watch: French referee Romain Poite was having a quietly efficient game in charge of this one-sided encounter when he frustrated Ireland's attacking intent by getting in the way of a sharp passing move off the back of a ruck. Conor Murray found flanker Peter O'Mahony whose pass back inside would have put Rob Kearney clean through at the side of the breakdown. Unfortunately, Monsieur Poite was planted in the way, the ball striking his chest. “Sorry,” the contrite referee muttered.

Penalties conceded: Ireland 3 (+ 1 free-kick) Italy 11 (+ 1 free-kick)

Injuries: There will be serious concern at the loss of both tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, who pulled up with an apparent hamstring strain after just four minutes, while centre Robbie Henshaw was forced off after grabbing his second try, injured after landing awkwardly on his shoulder in the act of scoring. Henshaw required oxygen on the pitch but with his shoulder in a sling, he walked off the field to a standing ovation.

Next up: That meeting with Wales at Aviva will have to wait for a fortnight as the championship goes into a short hibernation after two rounds. In the meantime, undefeated Ireland will reconvene next week for a training camp in Athlone at Dubarry Park, the home of Buccaneers RFC.