( CNN ) -- Ireland opened the defense of their Six Nations rugby title with a 29-11 victory at home to Italy , while England repelled the challenge of Wales to win 30-17 in Saturday 's other match . Ireland , who won all five matches last year to complete a Grand Slam , led 23-8 at halftime in Dublin but could not run away with victory against a determined visiting team . Recalled flyhalf Ronan O'Gara became the first player to score 500 points in the tournament as he was successful with all six kicks at goal , while Jamie Heaslip and Tomas O'Leary crossed for first-half tries . Italy 's only try came just before halftime , despite the sin-binning of center Gonzalo Garcia meaning coach Nick Mallett 's team were reduced to 14 men , after a charge-down of Rob Kearney 's kick by Kaine Robertson . `` It 's not easy to click immediately having only been together for two weeks and not having played together since November , '' Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll told reporters . `` There is plenty to improve on . It 's the first one and job done . We 'll take the positives out of it and move on . We showed an ability in the first half to turn defense into attack and the amount of lineout ball we won was a big plus . `` We made some good line breaks but did n't finish them off . Maybe we need to improve our support play . '' England flanker James Haskell scored two tries to lift the pressure on head coach Martin Johnson , as Wales paid the price for Alun-Wyn Jones ' sin-binning with 17 points conceded while the lock was off the field at Twickenham . The match was level at 3-3 when Jones was yellow-carded for leg-tripping England hooker Dylan Hartley , and the hosts subsequently scored a penalty and two converted tries , Haskell 's first in Tests and another five minutes after halftime by scrumhalf Danny Care . Wales battled back to 20-17 down with eight minutes left as Jones made some amends by setting up prop Adam Jones for a try and then James Hook crossed for another . But four minutes later Haskell went over again thanks to Delon Armitage 's interception , and then Jonny Wilkinson kicked his third penalty , this one from the halfway line to give the flyhalf 15 points for the match . Wales coach Warren Gatland was furious after Jones ' indiscipline cost his side dear . `` We are frustrated and disappointed . We felt that was a game that has slipped from our grasp , '' the New Zealander told reporters . `` The yellow card has cost us 17 points -- it was one of those things , stupid . It was massive . Sometimes those things are very , very costly , and it was for us today . `` We had stressed discipline over the past two weeks and talked about giving nothing soft away , and it is frustrating we have done that . He has made an impulsive decision , and hopefully it is a learning experience for him and he does n't do it again . '' France travel to Scotland for the opening round 's other match on Sunday .
Ireland open defense of Six Nations rugby title with 29 - 11 victory at home to Italy . Flyhalf Ronan O'Gara becomes first player to score 500 points in the competition . England defeat Wales 24 - 17 at Twickenham as visitors pay for Gareth Wyn - Jones ' sin - binning . Hosts score 17 points while England is off field for leg - tripping Wales 's Chris Hartley .