Ireland skipper Peter O'Mahony admitted it was a stuttering performance by his side despite scoring nine tries in a bonus point 57-6 victory over 13-man Italy at the Aviva Stadium.
Replacement hooker Hame Faiva's 19th minute red card for a high tackle on Dan Sheehan proved a double whammy for the visitors - as they also lost a second man in Toa Halafihi under world rugby rules.
“Red cards like that probably do games no favours, unfortunately," said O'Mahony. "I don’t think there is any intent there.
