The numbers game

206: the number of points that Ireland accumulated in the four representative games against Italy over the weekend

206: the number of points that Ireland accumulated in the four representative games against Italy over the weekend. The senior Ireland team won 60-13, the A side 31-3, the under-21's 957, while the Ireland Under-19's were beaten 28-20.

30: the number of points scored by two Irish outhalves over the weekend. Ronan O'Gara broke the Six Nations individual points-scoring record with 30 at Lansdowne Road on Saturday while the previous night Munster teammate Jeremy Staunton also managed 30 points. O'Gara's total was made up of a flawless kicking display - six penalties and six conversions - while Staunton scored two tries and kicked 10 conversions.

13: the number of tries that Ireland have scored in the Six Nations to date this season, already an Irish record.

1993: the last time that Ireland enjoyed back to back victories in the championship.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer