By James Standley

Italy pushed Ireland all the way before succumbing to a 28-17 defeat on Sunday.

The home pack turned in a gritty display before the Irish class finally told, with Brian O'Driscoll the difference between the two teams.

The Italians won their fair share of personal battles, but O'Driscoll was on a different level and his genius set up the Irish victory.

Here BBC Sport analyses how the key battles played out.

The battle between Masi and D'Arcy was just warming up nicely when the Irish centre had to limp off with a hamstring problem.

But it was a testing day for Masi even without having to worry about last year's Six Nations Player of the Year.

He showed no fear trying to run the ball at the Irish, but time and again met a wall of green shirts.

And when he found himself up against O'Driscoll, he was left grasping at thin air as he trailed in the Irish captain's slipstream.

The recalled former Italy captain Troncon was given the best of starts as the Italian pack worked up a head of steam.

He brought all his experience to bear, directing operations smoothly at the base of the scrum, and continued to have a fine all-round game.

Stringer scored a good opportunist try but his passing was not always accurate and he did not have as much influence on his team as Troncon did on his.

Troncon is one of the finest Italian players of all time and he showed his class by winning his battle with Stringer.

O'Connell did not have his most explosive game but he was rock solid at the heart of the Ireland pack.

When Italy raced out of the blocks, O'Connell battled away to halt the blue hordes, and he was Mr Consistency in the lineout.

Bortolami was also relatively quiet compared to some of his fellow pack members, but he was always a reliable presence.

But in the end O'Connell's class shone through and he edged the battle of the tall men.

At 25, Bergamasco is approaching his prime, and he confirmed his standing as one of the best opensides in the world with an all-action display.

Frequently quickest to the breakdown, his turnover early in the second half led to the penalty which briefly put the hosts back into the lead.

He was also prominent with ball in hand, which meant Leamy struggled to match his Italian opponent.