Schmidt hails Ireland attack after Italy thrashing

Joe Schmidt heaped praise on Ireland for their attacking play in Saturday's ??58-15 Six Nations thrashing of Italy.

The soon-to-be deposed champions claimed their first win of what has been a disappointing tournament, running in nine tries to ease to a dominant victory.

Ireland will now look to end their campaign on a high against Scotland next weekend.??

"It was great to get the win on the board and to do it with a little bit of room to spare," Schmidt told RTE Sport.

"We were probably afforded a bit more space than we had in recent weeks and that allowed us to open the game up."

The pick of the nine tries was the first of two for Jamie Heaslip, who finished off a magnificent team move that started deep inside the Ireland half.

"It's great to see that when you're afford the opportunity to play like that," Schmidt said of that try.

"That's exactly how you want to play.

"We've been squeezed for time and space by the teams we've faced so far and no doubt Scotland will squeeze us next week.

"We'll try to deliver the very best we can next week and hopefully it will contain a little bit of open rugby as it was [against Italy]??- and even as it was in the second half against England and as it was the last time we were here against Wales.

"[The performance]??showed we haven't been that far away in the last few games and when the pressure valve broke, it was great to see some good scores coming out."