Good afternoon and welcome along to our coverage of Ireland’s next step in the 2026 Six Nations.
After last week’s heavy defeat to the defending champions France, Andy Farrell’s side will be eager to bounce back against Italy today in front of a home crowd. But it won’t be easy as the Azzuri arrive into the Aviva Stadium on the back of a brilliant win over Scotland in the first round.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 2.10pm kick-off. And as always, we want to hear from you so let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
4 hrs ago
1:15PM
Andy Farrell has made six changes for today’s game.
Blindside flanker Cormac Izuchukwu, right wing Robert Baloucoune, left wing James Lowe, scrum-half Craig Casey, second row James Ryan, and number eight Jack Conan all come in.
The 23-year-old Munster second row Edwin Edogbo is set to make his Ireland debut off the bench, and Tadhg Furlong returns from injury among the replacements.
15. Lorenzo Pani
14. Louis Lynagh
13. Leonardo Marin
12. Tommaso Menoncello
11. Monty Ioane
10. Paolo Garbisi
9. Alessandro Fusco
1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Giacomo Nicotera
3. Simone Ferrari
4. Niccolo Cannone
5. Andrea Zambonin
6. Michele Lamaro (capt)
7. Manuel Zuliani
8. Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements:
16. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
17. Mirco Spagnolo
18. Muhamed Hasa
19. Federico Ruzza
20. Riccardo Favretto
21. David Odiase
22. Alessandro Garbisi
23. Paolo Odogwu
The Italians get us off the mark as Jamie Osborne has his first take in the air. Craig Casey then releases a box kick that doesn’t release well but credit to Robert Baloucoune who secures possession.
3 hrs ago
2:16PM
2 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Craig puts the ball up and James Lowe takes it down brilliantly around midfield. The ball comes across the field to Baloucoune who uses some nice footwork to make a nice gain.
3 hrs ago
2:17PM
3 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Ireland get the first lineout of the day and it’s a flawless throw from Dan Sheehan. But there’s a moment of panic moments later as Alessandro Fusco almost intercepts a pass from Casey to Lowe.
Both sides looking lively in the first few minutes as Casey prepares to put in for the scrum.
3 hrs ago
2:19PM
5 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Take 2 for the scrum and the referee awards a penalty to Ireland after some good work from Thomas Clarkson.
Ireland make their way down the line to get further into Italy territory.
3 hrs ago
2:19PM
6 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Another good lineout and Ireland could be in here as they close in on the five-metre line.
3 hrs ago
2:20PM
6 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Pass out wide finds Lowe. They’re almost there.
3 hrs ago
2:22PM
7 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Ireland have a penalty and Sheehan opts for a pick and go but he concedes a penalty as he collides into the Italian defence. It looks like he tried to jump over the tackle.
Big opportunity missed as Italy make the clearance.
3 hrs ago
2:25PM
10 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Nervy moment for Ireland as Louis Lynagh wins the ball in the air over Garry Ringrose. Tommaso Menoncello then kicks for the line, but the move ends with a 22m drop for Ireland.
3 hrs ago
2:26PM
10 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Referee is reviewing a potential intentional knock-on against Italy.
3 hrs ago
2:26PM
11 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Yellow card for Louis Lynagh. What can Ireland do with the numerical advantage for these 10 minutes?
3 hrs ago
2:28PM
13 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Ireland win their lineout again but there’s a mistake in midfield as Italy win the ball back after a poor pass from Joe McCarthy.
Caelan Doris then reclaims possession on the far side and there’s a knock-on by Italy so it’s over to Casey to get the scrum working again.
3 hrs ago
2:29PM
14 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
More wayward passing as Casey comes out of the scrum but Ireland retrieve and a rapid attack brings them down to the five-metre line.
3 hrs ago
2:31PM
15 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Italy turn the ball over, and that’s another chance at a score that passes Ireland by. Fusco makes a lot of ground with his kick.
Baloucoune deserves a lot of credit for getting that move going with his speed to feed the ball out to Lowe. But Ireland need to start making more of their opportunities.
3 hrs ago
2:32PM
16 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Sheehan’s lineout flies to far over the lineout but Ireland still keep possession. Again, they work the ball out to Lowe and Ireland start stringing the passes together, looking for a gap.
3 hrs ago
2:32PM
16 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Brilliant carry by Jack Conan. Clarkson then adds to that to bring Ireland further forward.
Ireland are off the mark as Osborne collects a pass from Stuart McCloskey and slides over beside the posts. It should have been a straightforward conversion for Sam Prendergast but he pulls it wide.
Cormac Izuchukwu penalised in the lineout and Italy get their first score of the afternoon.
3 hrs ago
2:38PM
22 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Ireland undone in the attack again as Osborne knocks the ball on. Good news for Italy as Lynagh returns from the sin bin.
3 hrs ago
2:43PM
25 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Prendergast puts the ball up but the execution isn’t great. Italy counter quickly as Tommaso Menoncello gets his wheels moving. He tries to lay the ball off to Michele Lamaro for a certain try but they fumble the ball forward.
Another huge let off for Ireland.
3 hrs ago
2:44PM
28 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Ireland work the ball out from the scrum. Prendergast tries a grubber to find touch and is unlucky to see the ball collected before crossing over.
Fusco switches the play from a ruck and Italy are charging hard at Ireland.
3 hrs ago
2:47PM
30 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Ireland win it back and Lowe collects his own chip and go brilliantly. Casey puts up a box kick for Garry Ringrose. There looks to be a nasty collision in the air with Lorenzo Pani but thankfully, both players get back up.
Pani receives some attention moments later but he’s back on his feet.
3 hrs ago
2:48PM
31 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Italy are in Ireland’s five-metre line. The hosts are under pressure now.
3 hrs ago
2:50PM
31 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Ireland turn the ball over and a long clearance just misses Baloucoune but Italy are attacking again.
And now the referee is reviewing a possible act of foul play by Craig Casey.
2 hrs ago
2:51PM
32 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Yellow card for Craig Casey!
He was deemed to be upright for a head-to-head tackle on Lorenzo Cannone.
Great intent from Ireland to get an early score from the lineout as Conan makes the final lunge.
Prendergast misses another conversion and that won’t do his confidence any good.
2 hrs ago
3:25PM
45 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Ireland still struggling in the scrum as Italy win a penalty and kick for touch to get into Ireland’s ’22.
2 hrs ago
3:26PM
47 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Brilliant from Izuchukwu to diver the ball away from the Italian lineout and Ireland have push Italy back for another lineout.
2 hrs ago
3:27PM
47 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
CLOSE CALL!
Ireland under severe pressure again as Pani tries to find his way in at the corner. Brilliant tackle from Osborne to earn the turnover and Casey boots it out.
But Italy will mount another attack now.
2 hrs ago
3:29PM
50 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Italy pushing their way through again but Doris does really well to work the turnover on the ground.
Furlong almost gets caught but Ireland keep the ball and clear it out to midfield.
But it just seems like Ireland are defending all the time here.
2 hrs ago
3:30PM
51 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Louis Lynagh is in for a try but it’s going to the TMO for a possible forward pass.
2 hrs ago
3:31PM
51 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
The replays look like it’s forward from Menoncello who made a super break through two Irish players to create that score.
2 hrs ago
3:32PM
51 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
NO TRY!
It’s the right call but it’s just another example of Ireland riding their luck.
2 hrs ago
3:32PM
52 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Ireland changes: Tadhg Beirne, Rónan Kelleher and Jamison Gibson-Park come in for Joe McCarthy, Dan Sheehan and Craig Casey.
2 hrs ago
3:34PM
54 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
A high ball spiral ball from Prendergast causes some confusion and no-one goes up to claim it. As it bounces, Kelleher launches forward to claim.
Ireland try to work the ball forward but Gibson Park gets his pocket picked. Italy push Ireland back for a lineout.
2 hrs ago
3:37PM
55 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Ireland struggle in the lineout again as Jeremy Loughman loses the ball.
Italy attack brilliantly with lots of power and speedy passes but they manage to survive and will restart the play from a lineout.
Ireland change: Jack Crowley comes in for Prendergast.
2 hrs ago
3:37PM
56 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Good lineout and Ireland are on the march, working through the phases.
2 hrs ago
3:38PM
56 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Lowe does well to control a bad pass with the boot and keep possession. The ball comes across the field to Izuchukwu and Ireland could be in here.
Ireland are back in the lead as Baloucoune completes a super piece of play which included brilliant work from Crowley and Lowe before McCloskey put his clubmate through with an NFL style pass.
Crowley adds the conversion and Ireland are back in Italy’s ’22 again. This is what we wanted.
Ireland change: Nick Timoney comes in for Cormac Izuchukwu.
Ireland extend their lead to 10 points after almost breaking in for another try. A crossfield pass was aimed at Baloucoune but the angle is off. What a Six Nations debut he’s having today.
They settle for the points and Ireland might well have weathered the storm.
2 hrs ago
3:47PM
65 mins: Ireland 20-10 Italy
Italy are still dominating the scrum as Furlong is practically lifted off the ground such is the force coming at them.
Ireland change: Tom O’Toole comes replaces Jeremy Loughman.
2 hrs ago
3:49PM
67 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Bad lineout from Ireland and they give possession back to Italy, who have plenty of time to get back into this contest.
1 hr ago
3:51PM
68 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ireland win it back as James Ryan goes to ground. Ireland work the ball around before Gibson-Park releases a beautiful kick that bounces all the way into the corner.
Super bit of play!
1 hr ago
3:52PM
69 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Italy win the lineout and push the play back. Ireland attack quickly as Crowley tries to let Ringrose loose out wide.
But it’s forward and the referee catches it straight away.
1 hr ago
3:53PM
70 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ireland change: Edwin Edogbo is in for his Ireland debut as James Ryan makes way.
1 hr ago
3:55PM
72 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ireland are defending and need to keep their discipline as Italy look for a way through.
1 hr ago
3:56PM
73 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Italy still attacking but Ireland are holding their line well.
1 hr ago
3:57PM
74 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Garbisi sends it up high and Baloucoune goes up to meet it and deflect the ball back for Ireland to gather. That could be a huge moment for Ireland. He’s surely the Man of the Match today.
1 hr ago
3:58PM
75 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Italy penalty and Garbisi goes for the corner. This ain’t over yet. Ireland have had to defend so much today and they’ll need another big effort here.
1 hr ago
4:00PM
76 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ringrose receives some treatment before Italy get the game back underway.
1 hr ago
4:02PM
77 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
MY WORD!
Italy should have been in for a try there. Garbisi chips it through for Menoncello to chase. But the ball bounces fortuitously for Ireland and Gibson-Park eventually kicks it away after a scrum.
Ireland have been so lucky so many times today.
1 hr ago
4:02PM
78 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Another clearance from Gibson-Park but it only invites another Italy attack.
1 hr ago
4:04PM
80 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ringrose tries to nail Garbisi but the Italian slides away.
Italy get a penalty as Edogbo is penalised. And they’re going for the corner.
1 hr ago
4:05PM
80 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Baloucoune actually could have caught the kick but he’s not there in time and it bounces into touch off him.
1 hr ago
4:05PM
81 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Italy still have it although they’ve been pushed back slightly.
1 hr ago
4:06PM
82 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
LOWE STEALS IT!!
Ireland are up the field. They could go for a score here.
1 hr ago
4:06PM
82 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Penalty for Ireland!
They’ll go for the corner and try to sneak the bonus point.
Crowley was looking to find it touch but ended up kicking it dead. And that’s that.
It’s a win for Ireland. It’s their first of the 2026 Six Nations, but they are very fortunate to get the result here.
Italy were cruelly denied a few times, particularly the last effort that should have been scored by Menoncello.
Tries from Osborne, Conan, and Baloucoune laid the platform for the victory along with a conversion and penalty from Jack Crowley. But Ireland left a lot of points out there in what was an error-strewn performance.
And they have England to look forward to next.
1 hr ago
4:15PM
Ireland 20-13 Italy
Well, that’s all from us folks.
Before you go, have a read of Murray Kinsella’s match report live from the Aviva Stadium here. And we’ll have more coverage coming from Gavan Casey and Ciarán Kennedy as we try to make sense of that result.
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As it happened: Ireland survive to earn 20-13 Six Nations win over Italy
Good afternoon and welcome along to our coverage of Ireland’s next step in the 2026 Six Nations.
After last week’s heavy defeat to the defending champions France, Andy Farrell’s side will be eager to bounce back against Italy today in front of a home crowd. But it won’t be easy as the Azzuri arrive into the Aviva Stadium on the back of a brilliant win over Scotland in the first round.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 2.10pm kick-off. And as always, we want to hear from you so let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Andy Farrell has made six changes for today’s game.
Blindside flanker Cormac Izuchukwu, right wing Robert Baloucoune, left wing James Lowe, scrum-half Craig Casey, second row James Ryan, and number eight Jack Conan all come in.
The 23-year-old Munster second row Edwin Edogbo is set to make his Ireland debut off the bench, and Tadhg Furlong returns from injury among the replacements.
Ireland
15. Jamie Osborne
14. Robert Baloucoune
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Craig Casey
1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Cormac Izuchukwu
7. Caelan Doris (captain)
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Tom O’Toole
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Edwin Edogbo
20. Tadhg Beirne
21. Nick Timoney
22. Jamison Gibson-Park
23. Jack Crowley
And here’s how Italy are named to line out
15. Lorenzo Pani
14. Louis Lynagh
13. Leonardo Marin
12. Tommaso Menoncello
11. Monty Ioane
10. Paolo Garbisi
9. Alessandro Fusco
1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Giacomo Nicotera
3. Simone Ferrari
4. Niccolo Cannone
5. Andrea Zambonin
6. Michele Lamaro (capt)
7. Manuel Zuliani
8. Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements:
16. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
17. Mirco Spagnolo
18. Muhamed Hasa
19. Federico Ruzza
20. Riccardo Favretto
21. David Odiase
22. Alessandro Garbisi
23. Paolo Odogwu
The usual pre-match reading
Teams are making their way onto the pitch now. Time to call a winner below.
Poll Results:
It’s national anthem time now.
Kick-Off! Ireland v Italy
1 min: Ireland 0-0 Italy
The Italians get us off the mark as Jamie Osborne has his first take in the air. Craig Casey then releases a box kick that doesn’t release well but credit to Robert Baloucoune who secures possession.
2 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Craig puts the ball up and James Lowe takes it down brilliantly around midfield. The ball comes across the field to Baloucoune who uses some nice footwork to make a nice gain.
3 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Ireland get the first lineout of the day and it’s a flawless throw from Dan Sheehan. But there’s a moment of panic moments later as Alessandro Fusco almost intercepts a pass from Casey to Lowe.
Both sides looking lively in the first few minutes as Casey prepares to put in for the scrum.
5 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Take 2 for the scrum and the referee awards a penalty to Ireland after some good work from Thomas Clarkson.
Ireland make their way down the line to get further into Italy territory.
6 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Another good lineout and Ireland could be in here as they close in on the five-metre line.
6 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Pass out wide finds Lowe. They’re almost there.
7 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Ireland have a penalty and Sheehan opts for a pick and go but he concedes a penalty as he collides into the Italian defence. It looks like he tried to jump over the tackle.
Big opportunity missed as Italy make the clearance.
10 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Nervy moment for Ireland as Louis Lynagh wins the ball in the air over Garry Ringrose. Tommaso Menoncello then kicks for the line, but the move ends with a 22m drop for Ireland.
10 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Referee is reviewing a potential intentional knock-on against Italy.
11 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Yellow card for Louis Lynagh. What can Ireland do with the numerical advantage for these 10 minutes?
13 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Ireland win their lineout again but there’s a mistake in midfield as Italy win the ball back after a poor pass from Joe McCarthy.
Caelan Doris then reclaims possession on the far side and there’s a knock-on by Italy so it’s over to Casey to get the scrum working again.
14 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
More wayward passing as Casey comes out of the scrum but Ireland retrieve and a rapid attack brings them down to the five-metre line.
15 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Italy turn the ball over, and that’s another chance at a score that passes Ireland by. Fusco makes a lot of ground with his kick.
Baloucoune deserves a lot of credit for getting that move going with his speed to feed the ball out to Lowe. But Ireland need to start making more of their opportunities.
16 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Sheehan’s lineout flies to far over the lineout but Ireland still keep possession. Again, they work the ball out to Lowe and Ireland start stringing the passes together, looking for a gap.
16 mins: Ireland 0-0 Italy
Brilliant carry by Jack Conan. Clarkson then adds to that to bring Ireland further forward.
TRY! Ireland 5-0 Italy (Jamie Osborne ’16)
19 mins: Ireland 5-0 Italy
Ireland are off the mark as Osborne collects a pass from Stuart McCloskey and slides over beside the posts. It should have been a straightforward conversion for Sam Prendergast but he pulls it wide.
20 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Paolo Garbisi Penalty!
Cormac Izuchukwu penalised in the lineout and Italy get their first score of the afternoon.
22 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Ireland undone in the attack again as Osborne knocks the ball on. Good news for Italy as Lynagh returns from the sin bin.
25 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Prendergast puts the ball up but the execution isn’t great. Italy counter quickly as Tommaso Menoncello gets his wheels moving. He tries to lay the ball off to Michele Lamaro for a certain try but they fumble the ball forward.
Another huge let off for Ireland.
28 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Ireland work the ball out from the scrum. Prendergast tries a grubber to find touch and is unlucky to see the ball collected before crossing over.
Fusco switches the play from a ruck and Italy are charging hard at Ireland.
30 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Ireland win it back and Lowe collects his own chip and go brilliantly. Casey puts up a box kick for Garry Ringrose. There looks to be a nasty collision in the air with Lorenzo Pani but thankfully, both players get back up.
Pani receives some attention moments later but he’s back on his feet.
31 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Italy are in Ireland’s five-metre line. The hosts are under pressure now.
31 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Ireland turn the ball over and a long clearance just misses Baloucoune but Italy are attacking again.
And now the referee is reviewing a possible act of foul play by Craig Casey.
32 mins: Ireland 5-3 Italy
Yellow card for Craig Casey!
He was deemed to be upright for a head-to-head tackle on Lorenzo Cannone.
And now Italy are kicking for the corner.
TRY! Ireland 5-10 Italy (Giacomo Nicotera ’32)
35 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
That was coming!
Italy have all the momentum, and now they have a numerical advantage too as the hooker scores from the set-piece.
Ireland need a big response now.
35 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
Italy win a scrum penalty!
And a bit of a melee breaks out after. None of this bodes well for Ireland.
35 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
Casey’s yellow card will remain a yellow card so he will be back on after the 10 minutes in the bin.
39 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
Ireland win the ball back and Prendergast again puts it up in the air, but doesn’t get enough height on it.
A bit of kick tennis ensues before a ’22 dropout for Ireland.
40 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
Italy knock-on and Ireland have another scrum. Can they work something from this to bring the first half to a close?
41 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
In Casey’s absence, Ringrose puts the ball in.
But Italy absolutely destroy them in the scrum and a big roar comes after winning the penalty.
42 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
They’re going for the corner. And why wouldn’t they? They’re completely dictating the terms here.
Casey returns.
42 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
McCloskey wins the ball back! A big let-off but maybe that’s the spark they need to get back into this game in the second half.
Half-Time! Ireland 5-10 Italy
Ireland 5-10 Italy
Ireland 5-10 Italy
Ireland are really struggling here.
Osborne put them ahead with a try and Ireland were creating lots of chances but the final product was really lacking.
Italy responded with a Garbisi penalty and they deservedly took the lead after a well-taken try by Giacomo Nicotera.
Will Ireland make any changes at half-time or wait to let the players on the field to try and figure it out first?
Hollie Davidson makes history today by becoming the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations game.
Second half: Ireland 5-10 Italy
Prendergast gets us back underway.
40 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
Ireland change: Tadhg Furlong comes in to replace Thomas Clarkson.
41 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
Ireland get their attack motoring quickly. They’ve lost a bit of ground but they still have the ball and play comes back for a penalty.
Prendergast goes for the corner.
42 mins: Ireland 5-10 Italy
Lineout is good. Ireland are looking for the gap.
TRY! Ireland 10-10 Italy (Jack Conan ’42)
45 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
That’s more like it.
Great intent from Ireland to get an early score from the lineout as Conan makes the final lunge.
Prendergast misses another conversion and that won’t do his confidence any good.
45 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Ireland still struggling in the scrum as Italy win a penalty and kick for touch to get into Ireland’s ’22.
47 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Brilliant from Izuchukwu to diver the ball away from the Italian lineout and Ireland have push Italy back for another lineout.
47 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
CLOSE CALL!
Ireland under severe pressure again as Pani tries to find his way in at the corner. Brilliant tackle from Osborne to earn the turnover and Casey boots it out.
But Italy will mount another attack now.
50 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Italy pushing their way through again but Doris does really well to work the turnover on the ground.
Furlong almost gets caught but Ireland keep the ball and clear it out to midfield.
But it just seems like Ireland are defending all the time here.
51 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Louis Lynagh is in for a try but it’s going to the TMO for a possible forward pass.
51 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
The replays look like it’s forward from Menoncello who made a super break through two Irish players to create that score.
51 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
NO TRY!
It’s the right call but it’s just another example of Ireland riding their luck.
52 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Ireland changes: Tadhg Beirne, Rónan Kelleher and Jamison Gibson-Park come in for Joe McCarthy, Dan Sheehan and Craig Casey.
54 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
A high ball spiral ball from Prendergast causes some confusion and no-one goes up to claim it. As it bounces, Kelleher launches forward to claim.
Ireland try to work the ball forward but Gibson Park gets his pocket picked. Italy push Ireland back for a lineout.
55 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Ireland struggle in the lineout again as Jeremy Loughman loses the ball.
Italy attack brilliantly with lots of power and speedy passes but they manage to survive and will restart the play from a lineout.
Ireland change: Jack Crowley comes in for Prendergast.
56 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Good lineout and Ireland are on the march, working through the phases.
56 mins: Ireland 10-10 Italy
Lowe does well to control a bad pass with the boot and keep possession. The ball comes across the field to Izuchukwu and Ireland could be in here.
TRY! Ireland 17-10 Italy (Robert Baloucoune ’57)
60 mins: Ireland 17-10 Italy
Ireland are back in the lead as Baloucoune completes a super piece of play which included brilliant work from Crowley and Lowe before McCloskey put his clubmate through with an NFL style pass.
Crowley adds the conversion and Ireland are back in Italy’s ’22 again. This is what we wanted.
Ireland change: Nick Timoney comes in for Cormac Izuchukwu.
60 mins: Ireland 17-10 Italy
64 mins: Ireland 20-10 Italy
Jack Crowley Penalty!
Ireland extend their lead to 10 points after almost breaking in for another try. A crossfield pass was aimed at Baloucoune but the angle is off. What a Six Nations debut he’s having today.
They settle for the points and Ireland might well have weathered the storm.
65 mins: Ireland 20-10 Italy
Italy are still dominating the scrum as Furlong is practically lifted off the ground such is the force coming at them.
Garbisi is going for the posts.
65 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Garbisi Penalty!
And it’s back to a one-score game.
66 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ireland change: Tom O’Toole comes replaces Jeremy Loughman.
67 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Bad lineout from Ireland and they give possession back to Italy, who have plenty of time to get back into this contest.
68 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ireland win it back as James Ryan goes to ground. Ireland work the ball around before Gibson-Park releases a beautiful kick that bounces all the way into the corner.
Super bit of play!
69 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Italy win the lineout and push the play back. Ireland attack quickly as Crowley tries to let Ringrose loose out wide.
But it’s forward and the referee catches it straight away.
70 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ireland change: Edwin Edogbo is in for his Ireland debut as James Ryan makes way.
72 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ireland are defending and need to keep their discipline as Italy look for a way through.
73 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Italy still attacking but Ireland are holding their line well.
74 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Garbisi sends it up high and Baloucoune goes up to meet it and deflect the ball back for Ireland to gather. That could be a huge moment for Ireland. He’s surely the Man of the Match today.
75 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Italy penalty and Garbisi goes for the corner. This ain’t over yet. Ireland have had to defend so much today and they’ll need another big effort here.
76 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ringrose receives some treatment before Italy get the game back underway.
77 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
MY WORD!
Italy should have been in for a try there. Garbisi chips it through for Menoncello to chase. But the ball bounces fortuitously for Ireland and Gibson-Park eventually kicks it away after a scrum.
Ireland have been so lucky so many times today.
78 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Another clearance from Gibson-Park but it only invites another Italy attack.
80 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ringrose tries to nail Garbisi but the Italian slides away.
Italy get a penalty as Edogbo is penalised. And they’re going for the corner.
80 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Baloucoune actually could have caught the kick but he’s not there in time and it bounces into touch off him.
81 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Italy still have it although they’ve been pushed back slightly.
82 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
LOWE STEALS IT!!
Ireland are up the field. They could go for a score here.
82 mins: Ireland 20-13 Italy
Penalty for Ireland!
They’ll go for the corner and try to sneak the bonus point.
Full-Time! Ireland 20-13 Italy
Ireland 20-13 Italy
Crowley was looking to find it touch but ended up kicking it dead. And that’s that.
It’s a win for Ireland. It’s their first of the 2026 Six Nations, but they are very fortunate to get the result here.
Italy were cruelly denied a few times, particularly the last effort that should have been scored by Menoncello.
Tries from Osborne, Conan, and Baloucoune laid the platform for the victory along with a conversion and penalty from Jack Crowley. But Ireland left a lot of points out there in what was an error-strewn performance.
And they have England to look forward to next.
Ireland 20-13 Italy
Well, that’s all from us folks.
Before you go, have a read of Murray Kinsella’s match report live from the Aviva Stadium here. And we’ll have more coverage coming from Gavan Casey and Ciarán Kennedy as we try to make sense of that result.
Until next time, good luck!
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Six Nations Ireland Minute-by-Minute Rugby Italy