Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Ireland’s clash with Italy in the Women’s Six Nations.
It’s a massive day in Galway, with the Dexcom Stadium set to welcome a record crowd.
More than 8,500 tickets had been sold by Friday afternoon – the existing record is 7,754 from Ireland’s Six Nations clash with England last year in Cork.
Kick-off is at 5.40pm, and the game is live on Virgin Media One if you’re looking to tune in.
18 Apr
5:30PM
Scott Bemand likes to make a couple of changes to his team week to week, and it’s no different today with three tweaks to the side that lost to England in round one.
Twenty-year-old Leinster wing Robyn O’Connor gets her senior Test debut on the left wing, with Vicky Elmes Kinlan dropping out of the matchday 23.
At inside centre, 33-times capped Eve Higgins moves to the bench as Exeter Chiefs midfielders Nancy McGillivray comes into the starting side, winning her fifth cap
The third change sees Ruth Campbell named in the second row as Dorothy Wall moves to the bench.
18 Apr
5:37PM
The teams are out and it’s anthem time.
18 Apr
5:40PM
KICK-OFF
18 Apr
5:42PM
We’re underway in Galway. Here’s a reminder of how the two times lineup. Italy opened their campaign with a 40-7 loss to France last weekend.
Replacements: Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Dorothy Wall, Sam Monaghan, Katie Whelan, Eve Higgins, Anna McGann.
ITALY: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; Gaia Buso, Alyssa D’Incà, Sara Mannini, Aura Muzzo; Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Gaia Maris, Vittoria Vecchini, Alessia Pilani; Valeria Fedrighi, Elettra Costantini; Francesca Sgorbini, Alissa Ranuccini, Elisa Giordano.
Replacements: Chiara Cheli, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Zanette, Giordana Duca, Beatrice Veronese, Alia Bitonci, Veronica Madia, Michela Sillari.
18 Apr
5:45PM
4mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Italy get into the Ireland 22 but a strong defensive set holds them out, with Aoife Wafer in the thick of it, before Dannah O’Brien kicks long downfield.
Ireland then have a lineout in the Italy half but Italy manage to steal the ball back.
Stacey Flood collects a loose Italian kick, and Ireland attack with real purpose. After winning a penalty, Ireland scrum-half Emily Lane opts for the tap-and-go and gets over for the game’s opening score, with Dannah O’Brien converting.
Italy are on the scoreboard. Initially, it’s out-half Emma Stevanin who goes for the line, but she’s held up. It didn’t look a great decision but the Italians had penalty advantage.
At the second chance, Italy’s lineout is clean, the maul is strong and hooker Vittoria Vecchini powers over. The conversion is off target.
Really nice from Ireland as quick hands sends Parsons over in the corner, Stacey Flood throwing a wonderful pass. The Galway native is a popular tryscorer at the Dexcom. That move all started with Brittany Hogan winning the ball back in the Ireland half.
What a moment for Robyn O’Connor on her Ireland debut!
Ireland are flying, and some really clinical play leads to try number four for the home side. Ireland play with pace again to get the ball wide to O’Connor, and the 20-year-old shows great pace to beat the last defender and score.
O’Connor can’t convert, but Ireland already have a bonus point. As I type, Wafer forces another Ireland penalty after a big tackle from Aoife Dalton.
Ireland are on fire here, and look like scoring with every attack.
Ireland attack off a scrum, with Wafer carrying hard again. Lane then gets the ball out to Parsons quickly, and she beats a couple of defenders to score. O’Brien can’t convert.
That all came after O’Connor almost scored on the far side, but the 20-year-old had a foot in touch as she collected a crossfield kick.
Minuzzi breaks a tackle and the fullback has the pace to run it home from deep, outpacing two Ireland defenders. Winger Gaia Buso misses the conversion.
Ellena Perry muscles over, with O’Brien converting.
There was a TMO check for a knock-on in the act of scoring. The on-field decision was that the try is good, and that stands following the review. Ireland lead by 28!
Wafer made another powerful carry before that score, Italy just can’t live with her at the moment.
A great offload from Parsons, Wafer makes more ground, she gets the ball back to Parsons and the Galway winger does the rest. That’s three first-half tries for Parsons, and seven first-half tries for Ireland!
O’Brien added the conversion, and that’s the last action of the half. Ireland lead 43-10 at the break. Brilliant stuff from Scott Bemand’s team.
18 Apr
6:39PM
The second half has just kicked off.
Italy trail by 35 points but have the wind on their side in this half. The Italians have also made three changes at loosehead, tighthead and in the second row at the break.
Ireland pick up where they left off, starting the second half with try number eight.
It’s hooker Moloney MacDonald, a pick and go on the line after Ireland made ground from a lineout. O’Brien’s conversion pulls wide, it looks like the wind caught that one.
Italy do well to keep the ball alive under pressure and it’s replacement Veronica Madia who gets their third try, with no conversion.
Scott Bemand is preparing to make six changes in one go, looking to give Ireland a lift heading into the final half hour of play.
18 Apr
7:00PM
57mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
The game became a bit stop-start after all the changes for both sides.
Italy have just been attacking in the Ireland 22, but with numbers up they spill the ball forward.
18 Apr
7:04PM
62mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
Big tackle and steal from Parsons! She’s been really good on both sides on the ball today.
Ireland have a lineout inside their own half, but shove forward from the maul. It’s motoring well but loses control and Ireland get forced out of touch.
18 Apr
7:07PM
65mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
Parsons goes on the charge, breaking tackles and making huge ground before a crunching hit.
Ireland recycle the ball, and Anna McGann does really well to step a defender and bring her team to the edge of the tryline, but it ends with Ireland being held up over the line – I think it was Dorothy Wall.
18 Apr
7:08PM
The attendance has been confirmed at 9,206 – a new record.
18 Apr
7:10PM
68mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
Ireland have made 12 clean breaks so far today. Italy are on four.
Ireland threaten with a big maul push but Italy hold them short. The ball is moved inside and Hogan gets Ireland’s ninth try. O’Brien curls over the extras.
That’s a bonus-point score for Italy. Ireland get caught a bit narrow, Italy push it wide and d’Inca scores, but the visitors can’t add the conversion.
A really impressive performance from Ireland, on a record-breaking day in Galway.
Thanks for joining our live coverage today. Murray Kinsella is at the Dexcom and will have a match report and all the reaction on The 42 across the evening.
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As it happened: Ireland v Italy, Women's Six Nations
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Ireland’s clash with Italy in the Women’s Six Nations.
It’s a massive day in Galway, with the Dexcom Stadium set to welcome a record crowd.
More than 8,500 tickets had been sold by Friday afternoon – the existing record is 7,754 from Ireland’s Six Nations clash with England last year in Cork.
Kick-off is at 5.40pm, and the game is live on Virgin Media One if you’re looking to tune in.
Scott Bemand likes to make a couple of changes to his team week to week, and it’s no different today with three tweaks to the side that lost to England in round one.
Twenty-year-old Leinster wing Robyn O’Connor gets her senior Test debut on the left wing, with Vicky Elmes Kinlan dropping out of the matchday 23.
At inside centre, 33-times capped Eve Higgins moves to the bench as Exeter Chiefs midfielders Nancy McGillivray comes into the starting side, winning her fifth cap
The third change sees Ruth Campbell named in the second row as Dorothy Wall moves to the bench.
The teams are out and it’s anthem time.
KICK-OFF
We’re underway in Galway. Here’s a reminder of how the two times lineup. Italy opened their campaign with a 40-7 loss to France last weekend.
IRELAND: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Nancy McGillivray, Robyn O’Connor; Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane; Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Fiona Tuite; Brittany Hogan, Erin King (captain), Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Dorothy Wall, Sam Monaghan, Katie Whelan, Eve Higgins, Anna McGann.
ITALY: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; Gaia Buso, Alyssa D’Incà, Sara Mannini, Aura Muzzo; Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Gaia Maris, Vittoria Vecchini, Alessia Pilani; Valeria Fedrighi, Elettra Costantini; Francesca Sgorbini, Alissa Ranuccini, Elisa Giordano.
Replacements: Chiara Cheli, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Zanette, Giordana Duca, Beatrice Veronese, Alia Bitonci, Veronica Madia, Michela Sillari.
4mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Italy get into the Ireland 22 but a strong defensive set holds them out, with Aoife Wafer in the thick of it, before Dannah O’Brien kicks long downfield.
Ireland then have a lineout in the Italy half but Italy manage to steal the ball back.
TRY FOR IRELAND! Emily Lane
6mins: Ireland 7 Italy 0
Stacey Flood collects a loose Italian kick, and Ireland attack with real purpose. After winning a penalty, Ireland scrum-half Emily Lane opts for the tap-and-go and gets over for the game’s opening score, with Dannah O’Brien converting.
That’s a great start for Ireland!
Try for Italy – Vittoria Vecchini
11mins: Ireland 7 Italy 5
Italy are on the scoreboard. Initially, it’s out-half Emma Stevanin who goes for the line, but she’s held up. It didn’t look a great decision but the Italians had penalty advantage.
At the second chance, Italy’s lineout is clean, the maul is strong and hooker Vittoria Vecchini powers over. The conversion is off target.
TRY FOR IRELAND – Aoife Wafer!
14mins: Ireland 14 Italy 5
It takes Ireland just two minutes to respond to that Italy try.
Wafer makes a massive carry off a scrum, and it leads to an Ireland lineout, where the same player pushes through at the back of the maul to score.
Dannah O’Brien’s conversion is a beauty. Some start in Galway!
TRY FOR IRELAND – Béibhinn Parsons!
19mins: Ireland 21 Italy 5
Really nice from Ireland as quick hands sends Parsons over in the corner, Stacey Flood throwing a wonderful pass. The Galway native is a popular tryscorer at the Dexcom. That move all started with Brittany Hogan winning the ball back in the Ireland half.
O’Brien then nails another brilliant conversion.
TRY FOR IRELAND – Robyn O’Connor
24mins: Ireland 26 Italy 5
What a moment for Robyn O’Connor on her Ireland debut!
Ireland are flying, and some really clinical play leads to try number four for the home side. Ireland play with pace again to get the ball wide to O’Connor, and the 20-year-old shows great pace to beat the last defender and score.
O’Connor can’t convert, but Ireland already have a bonus point. As I type, Wafer forces another Ireland penalty after a big tackle from Aoife Dalton.
TRY – Parsons again!
31mins: Ireland 31 Italy 5
Ireland are on fire here, and look like scoring with every attack.
Ireland attack off a scrum, with Wafer carrying hard again. Lane then gets the ball out to Parsons quickly, and she beats a couple of defenders to score. O’Brien can’t convert.
That all came after O’Connor almost scored on the far side, but the 20-year-old had a foot in touch as she collected a crossfield kick.
ITALY TRY - Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
32mins: Ireland 31 Italy 10
Italy hit back out of nowhere.
Minuzzi breaks a tackle and the fullback has the pace to run it home from deep, outpacing two Ireland defenders. Winger Gaia Buso misses the conversion.
TRY – Ellena Perry!
35mins: Ireland 38 Italy 10
Ellena Perry muscles over, with O’Brien converting.
There was a TMO check for a knock-on in the act of scoring. The on-field decision was that the try is good, and that stands following the review. Ireland lead by 28!
Wafer made another powerful carry before that score, Italy just can’t live with her at the moment.
TRY! Parsons!
HALFTIME: Ireland 45 Italy 10
Wow, that’s the pick of the bunch so far!
A great offload from Parsons, Wafer makes more ground, she gets the ball back to Parsons and the Galway winger does the rest. That’s three first-half tries for Parsons, and seven first-half tries for Ireland!
O’Brien added the conversion, and that’s the last action of the half. Ireland lead 43-10 at the break. Brilliant stuff from Scott Bemand’s team.
The second half has just kicked off.
Italy trail by 35 points but have the wind on their side in this half. The Italians have also made three changes at loosehead, tighthead and in the second row at the break.
TRY – Cliodhna Moloney MacDonald
43mins: Ireland 50 Italy 10
Ireland pick up where they left off, starting the second half with try number eight.
It’s hooker Moloney MacDonald, a pick and go on the line after Ireland made ground from a lineout. O’Brien’s conversion pulls wide, it looks like the wind caught that one.
TRY FOR ITALY – Veronica Madia
50mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
Italy do well to keep the ball alive under pressure and it’s replacement Veronica Madia who gets their third try, with no conversion.
Scott Bemand is preparing to make six changes in one go, looking to give Ireland a lift heading into the final half hour of play.
57mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
The game became a bit stop-start after all the changes for both sides.
Italy have just been attacking in the Ireland 22, but with numbers up they spill the ball forward.
62mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
Big tackle and steal from Parsons! She’s been really good on both sides on the ball today.
Ireland have a lineout inside their own half, but shove forward from the maul. It’s motoring well but loses control and Ireland get forced out of touch.
65mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
Parsons goes on the charge, breaking tackles and making huge ground before a crunching hit.
Ireland recycle the ball, and Anna McGann does really well to step a defender and bring her team to the edge of the tryline, but it ends with Ireland being held up over the line – I think it was Dorothy Wall.
The attendance has been confirmed at 9,206 – a new record.
68mins: Ireland 50 Italy 15
Ireland have made 12 clean breaks so far today. Italy are on four.
TRY! Brittany Hogan
73mins: Ireland 57 Italy 15
Ireland threaten with a big maul push but Italy hold them short. The ball is moved inside and Hogan gets Ireland’s ninth try. O’Brien curls over the extras.
Try for Italy – Alyssa d’Inca
79mins: Ireland 57 Italy 20
That’s a bonus-point score for Italy. Ireland get caught a bit narrow, Italy push it wide and d’Inca scores, but the visitors can’t add the conversion.
FULLTIME: Ireland 57 Italy 20
A really impressive performance from Ireland, on a record-breaking day in Galway.
Thanks for joining our live coverage today. Murray Kinsella is at the Dexcom and will have a match report and all the reaction on The 42 across the evening.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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