15 of the best images as Ireland complete a hat-trick of Six Nations wins over Italy

IT WASN’T ALWAYS pretty, but three of Ireland’s rugby teams travel home from Italy with a win after the opening weekend of the Six Nations.

Here’s how the men, women and 20s looked.

Conor Murray scored the crucial try as Ireland’s senior men defeated Italy 3 – 26

Conor Murray scores the first try Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

An early blow for Ireland as Sean O’Brien was forced to pull out with a hamstring injury

Sean O'Brien Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

His replacement Tommy O’Donnell went well…

Tommy O'Donnell scores their second try Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

… romping in to score Ireland’s second try

Tommy O'Donnell runs in their second try Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Tommy Bowe rising to compete with Luke McLean

Tommy Bowe with Luke McLean Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Paulie was happy with a job well done

Paul O'Connell late in the game Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO / INPHO

Marie Louise Reilly wins a line-out during Ireland Women’s 5 – 30 win over Italy in Florence

Marie Louise Reilly wins a lineout Ivan Marianelli / INPHO Ivan Marianelli / INPHO / INPHO

Niamh Briggs goes over for the first try of the night

Niamh Briggs scores a try Ivan Marianelli / INPHO Ivan Marianelli / INPHO / INPHO

Katie Fitzhenry finds a gap in the defence after making her debut as a replacement

Katie Fitzhenry on the attack Ivan Marianelli / INPHO Ivan Marianelli / INPHO / INPHO

Alison Miller powers through contact

Alison Miller Ivan Marianelli / INPHO Ivan Marianelli / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland under 20s beat Italy 15 – 47 in a mudbath in Biella

The two teams scrum in muddy conditions Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO / INPHO

Steamy

Two teams in a scrum Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO / INPHO

Nick McCarthy hassled at the back of the scrum

Nick McCarthy and Luca Petrozzi Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO / INPHO

Fergal Clerary makes a carry in tough conditions

Fergal Cleary on the attack Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO / INPHO

It was a day for the boot of out-half Ross Byrne

Ross Byrne Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO / INPHO