What a difference in the way we view this Ireland side compared to just a fortnight ago. At the halfway point of the tournament, a Grand Slam felt realistic and Andy Farrell’s touring party for the British and Irish Lions tour was going to be overwhelmingly green. Given that 15 Welsh players made the original squad in 2013, and there were 16 England players going in 2017, with three rounds ticked off and three wins you sensed that Ireland’s contingent in Australia this summer could surpass both of those tallies. Now? Irish selection calls you felt comfortable about are a little murkier.
To be clear, that assessment does not apply to Dan Sheehan. The hooker has made a sensational return from his ACL injury. He scored a hat-trick here but it was his performance beyond those tries; always involved, a threat with ball in hand (making 11 carries) and in defence with 15 tackles. He is some athlete and there is no real debate to be had about who will be the Test starter at hooker against the Wallabies.
But the rest? Those calls are less clear. Caelan Doris may well end up being the Lions captain and would be a fine choice, but Maro Itoje’s first tournament as England captain has gone well. Doris was absolutely melted in one tackle by Tommaso Menoncello, coming a week after starting with a bang with three turnovers against France before he and his pack faded away.
Jamison Gibson-Park is probably still the starter at scrum-half as well, but just has not played with the same authority and zip over the past two weeks. Throwing passes into touch, plus an interception to the Italy prop Danilo Fischetti, were uncharacteristic errors, although he bounced back well with a chip over to Mack Hansen to create Sheehan’s hat-trick score.
Josh van der Flier has been unusually quiet the past two weeks, but Hansen looked sharp in Rome. James Lowe was convinced he had kept his feet infield to set up a try, but the officials were not convinced.
Andrew Porter, Tadgh Beirne, Jack Conan, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Hugo Keenan – they are certain tourists. But do you feel as certain about them as Test starters after the last two games? Perhaps not. Both fly-halves, Sam Prendergast or Jack Crowley, could miss out entirely.
Ireland just felt stodgy at times, stifled by the muggy Rome conditions, with their punishing maul doing the hard work to bail them out of a tight game.
At the same time, Italy should be furious with themselves. Their lack of discipline was desperate, giving away two yellow cards and one red which defied belief they were so basic. Ross Vintcent’s technique – not so much clashing heads with Keenan as planting his forehead right on his nose – had to be red and left his team in a hole. They already had to replace three forwards within the first half hour due to injury, with a mindless slap down from Michele Lamaro – their regular captain hitting the ball out of Gibson-Park’s hands – and a dull clearout from Giacomo Nicotera late on completing an ignominious hat-trick of bad Italian decisions. And yet those advantages were still not enough for Ireland to comfortably pull clear as you might expect.
One thing Ireland did get right were the farewells for Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray. Both second-half replacements – Cian Healy, the final retiree, was a travelling reserve – their introductions were met with such a deafening roar from the masses of travelling Irish fans. A fitting reception both players deserved.
This has been a maddening tournament for Italy, promising plenty but only delivering one win over a Wales side in disarray. They have the talent. Menoncello has been quieter this tournament but was destructive and intelligent here, his break and offload sparking the opening Monty Ioane try. Ange Capuozzo delivered again, his chip over the top causing chaos with Stephen Varney sharpest to dot down the bouncing ball setting up a tense finish with Ireland just five points ahead. They won this fixture 36-0 last year.
Ireland should still make up the bulk of this Lions squad and the Test side. But the last two games, two poor performances by their high standards, have made Farrell’s life a lot harder.
Match details
Scoring sequence: 5-0 Ioane try, 7-0 Allan con, 7-5 Keenan try, 7-7 Crowley con, 10-7 Allan pen, 10-12 Sheehan try, 10-17 Sheehan try, 10-22 Sheehan try, 15-22 Varney try, 17-22 Allan con
Italy: T Allan (L Marin 75); A Capuozzo, J Brex, T Menoncello, M Ioane; P Garbisi, M Page-Relo (S Varney 45); D Fischetti (M Spagnolo 56), G Lucchesi (G Nicotera 68), S Ferrari (G Zilocchi, 56), D Lamb (N Cannone 18), F Ruzza, S Negri (M Lamaro 29), M Zuliani, L Cannone (R Vintcent 29)
Yellow cards: Lamaro 38, Nicotera 80
Red card: Vintcent 48
Ireland: H Keenan; M Hansen, G Ringrose, R Henshaw (B Aki 56), J Lowe; J Crowley (S Prendergast 64), J Gibson-Park (C Murray 67); A Porter (J Boyle 64), D Sheehan (G McCarthy 71), F Bealham (T Furlong 46), J Ryan (J McCarthy 46), T Beirne, J Conan, J van der Flier (P O’Mahony 52), C Doris
Referee: L Pearce (ENG)
Italy’s moments of madness
Michele Lamaro yellow card, 38 minutes
Such a blatant slap-down of the ball out of Jamison Gibson-Park’s hands that the referee, Luke Pearce, basically laughed. “I’ve seen enough thank you,” Pearce told his TMO Tual Trainini, perhaps wondering if he had ever had to give out a more obvious yellow card. For a player of Lamaro’s experience, a key leader in this squad, to commit such a basic error almost defies belief. Joe McCarthy, whose yellow card the previous week against France was also mindless, must have watched Lamaro and thought “Even I wasn’t that bad”.
Ross Vintcent red card, 48 minutes
Groans from the crowd told you it was bad, as did Pearce’s tone walking away from the incident to consider his options. It was instantly viewed as a yellow-card threshold, referred to the bunker, after Vintcent managed to collide his head flush onto Hugo Keenan’s nose. You could argue about each player’s height but this was a red card clear as day and a total botch from Vintcent.
Giacomo Nicotera yellow card, 80 minutes
With the game tight and Italy searching for a winning try, play was stopped so the officials could check a dangerous clearout. Nicotera hurled himself directly at the head of a defenceless Peter O’Mahony. Again, it was impossible for the officials to find any mitigation and had to be yellow, although it could have arguably been a straight red it was so blatant.
04:47 PM GMT
Thanks for joining us
That brings to an end our coverage of Ireland’s victory over Italy. A reminder you can follow our live updates of England’s clash with Wales, which has just got underway. Thanks for joining us!
04:44 PM GMT
‘A lot of learnings, but great memories’, says Prendergast
Speaking to ITV about Ireland’s campaign and his own performances, fly-half Sam Prendergast has said: “A bit of a mixed bag for me personally and the team.
“I think we’ve had some really good highs as a group, winning the Triple Crown, but also some lows last week and we maybe didn’t play our best game today either.
“So I think for me personally and the team - a lot of learnings but a lot of great memories along the way.”
04:37 PM GMT
Hat-trick hero
Dan Sheehan’s hat-trick of tries this afternoon takes his tally for the tournament to five, second only to Louis Bielle-Biarey.
04:32 PM GMT
Ben Coles’ full-time verdict
04:31 PM GMT
Maximum points for Ireland
04:28 PM GMT
‘We lacked accuracy’, says Sheehan
Speaking on ITV, Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan has said: “Happy with five points, we probably needed a bit more points difference.
“I think they went after our breakdown quite well and we lacked accuracy, there was a lot of dropped balls.
“Fair play to Italy, I thought their gameplan worked well and they put us under pressure.
“We got five points and it’s up to the other teams now.”
On returning after his summer ACL injury, he said: “I’m delighted to be back playing rugby in the big games like this.
“A big Saturday at the end of the Six Nations, to be here is great.
“It’s great to be sharing the pitch with three legends of Irish Rugby and Irish sport in Pete [O’Mahony], Church [Cian Healy] and Mur [Conor Murray].”
04:26 PM GMT
Far from vintage Ireland
Speaking on ITV, former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll is asked whether it was a championship winning performance. His response: “In a word, no.”
04:23 PM GMT
WATCH: Capuozzo magic
04:22 PM GMT
Italy take step towards fifth
Despite the defeat, Italy picked up what could be a crucial losing bonus point, as they move two points clear of Wales, who now look more likely to pick up a second successive Wooden Spoon.
04:17 PM GMT
As it stands following Ireland’s victory
Ireland go three points clear at the top but England and France know that victories in there matches will see them overtake Simon Easterby’s men.
England take on Wales in Cardiff, with that one kicking off in less than 30 minutes, before France host Scotland with their fate in their own hands.
04:12 PM GMT
Full time: Italy 17 Ireland 22
The clock ticks into red as play resumes and Prendergast takes the opportunity to kick into touch to bring full-time and a narrow, scrappy Irish win.
They go top, three points clear of France and four clear of England. All they can do now is wait and hope for Welsh and Scottish victories in the remaining two games of the tournament.
04:09 PM GMT
80 mins: Italy 17 Ireland 22
Capuozzo bursts into life, down the left this time but as he tumbles forward following a tap-tackle from Aki, his offload goes into touch.
There is going to be a TMO check for an illegal clearout from Nicotera and it’s an easy decision - he sees yellow and it could be upgraded to a red with the Italian making head contact.
04:07 PM GMT
79 mins: Italy 17 Ireland 22
Marin goes on a wonderful driving run down Italy’s right to take his side up to the 22 and the crowd roar in response.
After a few phases in and around the 22, Lowe forces the turnover before Ireland kick long and Italy will have to start again.
04:05 PM GMT
77 mins: Italy 17 Ireland 22
Ireland look like they might be clicking into gear but Prendergast’s pass out wide has too much on it and floats into touch. Italy remain in the contest.
04:02 PM GMT
74 mins: Italy 17 Ireland 22
Ireland come forward with pace working out to the right and then out to the left. Lowe is picked out on the flank and shows great power to flatten Capuozzo before tip-toeing as he attempts to stay in touch and flinging the ball inside.
Keenan collects and crosses but the flag is up, with the official saying Lowe had stepped into touch. There is a TMO check but the onfield decision remains, much to Lowe’s evident bemusement. It was very, very close but looks a tad harsh on Ireland.
03:59 PM GMT
72 mins: Italy 17 Ireland 22
Ireland are coming forward on the Italian 22 but a Doris knock-on relieves the pressure on the hosts, giving them the scrum.
Hansen gets close to an outrageous 50-22 from right next to the touchline but he was just inside the Italian half and it’s the hosts who have the line-out.
03:54 PM GMT
Italy right in the mix
Those missed kicks earlier from Crowley did not feel that significant, but now... even with a red card Italy look right in the mix to try and win this.
03:54 PM GMT
67 mins: Italy 17 Ireland 22
Murray is on for Ireland, for his final appearance, and like O’Mahoney, he receives a huge round of applause from all corners of the stadium.
03:52 PM GMT
TRY! Italy back in the contest through Varney
Italy 17 Ireland 22 (Varney) Wow... what a burst of pace from Capuozzo. The winger picks it up on the right and produces an incredible show of speed to leave Ringrose in his wake, sliding into touch.
He then goes for the kick and chase and while Hansen looks to be getting there first, the bounce evades the Ireland man, as well as Capuozzo but Varney is there in support to touch it down for the hosts.
The conversion is there from Allan and Italy are right back in this!
03:50 PM GMT
63 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 22
It looks Sam Prendergast will be coming on very soon for Ireland, with quite a lot of strapping around his left knee.
A knock on from Ireland in their own half gives Italy the scrum, can they make it count?
03:47 PM GMT
TRY! Sheehan has a hat-trick as Ireland secure bonus point
Italy 10 Ireland 22 (Sheehan) Following the attacking line-out down the bright, Ireland work it inside before Gibson-Park plays a sublime crossfield kick back out wide to the right flank.
It picks out Hansen, who leaps and passes it back inside before his feet land in touch, and his pass finds Sheehan who crosses over for his third and Ireland’s fourth, meaning they have secured the bonus point.
The conversion goes wide but Ireland have a 12-point lead.
03:44 PM GMT
57 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 17
Before play can resume with an Italian scrum, the referee confirms that Vintcent’s yellow card for a high tackle on Hansen is going to upgraded to a 20-minute red card.
Ireland will the penalty at the breakdown and find touch inside the Italian 22 for the line-out.
03:42 PM GMT
DISALLOWED TRY! Keenan denied by TMO
Italy 10 Ireland 17 (Keenan) Some nice feet from Hansen takes Ireland to within a couple of metres.
Italy do really well to resist the pressure for a number of phases but eventually, the visitors work it out to the left and following a lovely dummy from Crowley, Keenan comes steaming in to collect and cross for his second of the day.
Crowley converts from under the posts. However, There is a TMO check for a knock-on in the build-up by Conan and the try is ruled out!
03:38 PM GMT
Great reception for O’Mahony
Astonishing roar for Peter O’Mahony as he comes on for his final Ireland cap. People on their feet. You would have thought we were at Thomond Park.
03:37 PM GMT
53 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 17
O’Mahoney emerges from the bench as he gets ready to come on and there are huge cheers from all corners of the ground.
Following a huge Irish kick into the Italian 22, Allan nearly spills the ball as it bobbles around before slicing his kick into touch.
Before the line-out, O’Mahoney does now come on to an incredible reception.
03:35 PM GMT
YELLOW CARD! Vintcent in the sin bin for high tackle
Following the restart, Vintcent goes high into a tackle on Keenan as he gathers the kick, and there will be a TMO check for this one.
Replays show it was a head-on-head collision and the Italian sees yellow, which could be upgraded to a red. As he makes way, Lamaro is back on.
03:33 PM GMT
TRY! Sheehan scores his second of the day
Italy 10 Ireland 17 (Sheehan) Ireland had the advantage though for an offside and similarly to the end of the first half, they make use of the extra man as they maul for line and once again, it’s Sheehan who crosses.
Crowley’s kick drifts wide of the right post.
03:31 PM GMT
47 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 12
Ireland counter-ruck superbly following the line-out in front of the Italian try-line and they force the turnover. The ball is worked out to Ryan who looks to charge over in the corner.
As Ryan crosses, he spills it at the crucial moment under pressure from Fischetti and Garbisi. The onfield decision is no try, but there is a TMO check for whether Fischetti knocked the ball out of his grip with his knee, but the onfield decision remains.
03:27 PM GMT
46 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 12
As Ireland work it from right to left, Hansen spots a gap and darts through it with a superb turn of pace to get in the Italian 22 before offloading to Ringrose with a clever reverse pass.
Italy manage to slow the attack though and as Ireland work it out to the left flank, they lose control and it goes into touch.
03:25 PM GMT
45 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 12
Gibson-Park looks to spray a pass out wide to Lowe but it was a bit ambitious and flies over the winger into touch. It’s just not clicked yet for the visitors so far this afternoon.
Moments later though and Lowe times his run perfectly to win the contest from Gibson-Park’s box-kick and Ireland can mount an attack.
03:22 PM GMT
43 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 12
Ireland are penalised quickly following the restart and Italy can kick into touch, just short of the Irish 22.
They manage to penetrate the 22 through Brex but the final pass had gone forward and Ireland have the scrum.
03:21 PM GMT
41 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 12
We are back underway in Rome with Ireland kicking things off, going from right to left. Will the reigning champions improve in this second half or will Italy turn it back in their favour?
A reminder that Italy are down to 14 for another eight minutes, with Lamaro in the sin bin.
03:18 PM GMT
As it stands
If things were to stay as they are, Ireland would go two points clear of France at the top of the standings.
Meanwhile, Italy would pick up a losing bonus point to go two clear of Wales in sixth.
03:15 PM GMT
WATCH: Costly Lamaro yellow
03:12 PM GMT
Moment of madness swings momentum in Ireland’s favour
Unfortunately the end to that half underlines my previous point - you just cannot fully trust Italy at the moment. Wildly dumb bit of play from Michele Lamaro, the regular captain, to knock the ball out of Gibson-Park’s hands, and he had to go to the bin.
It swung momentum back Ireland’s way and their maul with Sheehan at the tail is too hard to stop in that position. Still, this is finely poised.
Some scintillating moments from Italy in attack, with Menoncello and Garbisi combining well. Their kicking strategy has worked well too, aiming long and infield to pin Ireland back, which has led to errors from the away side when playing out of their half.
If Ireland don’t pick up then Italy can win this. But you expect Simon Easterby’s side can go up a few gears. Italy have also gone to their bench far earlier than they would have liked, with three replacement forwards on before the half-hour mark.
03:07 PM GMT
Half-time: Italy 10 Ireland 12
That missed kick from Crowley was the final action of the half with the clock already ticking into the red, but for the first time this afternoon, Ireland have the lead.
Easterby will be hoping for significant improvements in the second period.
03:05 PM GMT
TRY! Ireland capitalise on extra man
Italy 10 Ireland 12 (Sheehan) Ireland take advantage of the extra man and maul with superb power following the line-out from the right and they are able to surge over the line to take the lead through Sheehan.
Crowley drags his kick well, well wide.
03:03 PM GMT
SIN BIN! Lamaro sees yellow for silly error
Italy 10 Ireland 7 (Lamaro) Gibson-Park is penalised for a knock-on as he looks to work it out from the ruck but there is a TMO check for whether Lamaro intervened illegally.
Replays show he clearly knocked it out of the hands of Gibson-Park and it was most certainly intentional and he is in the sin bin.
Lamaro is furious but it’s the right call.
03:01 PM GMT
Could Italy pull off the upset?
Cautious to start wondering about if Italy can pull this off given how hot and cold they can be, but, my last two trips to the Stadio Olimpico have coincided with them defeating Scotland and Wales. Maybe the hat-trick? Also they seem to have some divine help in the stands helping their kicks to creep through the posts.
03:00 PM GMT
39 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 7
Italy are off their feet in the ruck and Crowley kicks into touch down Ireland’s right, just short of the 22. Can they mount one last meaningful attack in this firsty half.
02:59 PM GMT
37 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 7
Ireland are penalised as they come forward and Easterby is furious as he looks on. Italy find touch just inside the Irish half.
Garbisi kicks long following the line-out but it’s comfortable for Keenan who can call the mark before clearing into Italy’s half.
02:56 PM GMT
PENALTY! Allan restores Italy’s lead
Italy 10 Ireland 7 (Allan) Page-Relo sells his opposite number Gibson-Parker with an excellent dummy to break Ireland’s defensive line but as he is tackled inside the Irish 22, his pass is a bit careless and runs loose.
Moments later though and Ringrose is penalised for coming from an offside position as the ball runs loose from a ruck and Italy have a chance to kick for the posts. It’s Allan to step up and it sneaks inside the right post from long range. Italy retake the lead!
02:52 PM GMT
30 mins: Italy 7 Ireland 7
Allan plays a clever kick in behind that Capuozzo is chasing down and while Keenan gets there first, he touches it down beyond the try-line and Italy can keep the pressure on Ireland here.
Lowe manages to intercept a pretty careless Ioane pass on halfway but the visitors knock it on almost instantly and Italy have the scrum.
There are another two Italian injuries though and Vintcent and Lamaro are coming on in place of Lorenzo Cannone and Negri. Real bad luck for Quesada in this first half.
02:48 PM GMT
Slick Irish try
Slick from Ireland to finally get over the line, very hard to defend that late change of direction with the extra man in Hansen looping round. Wonder if that try will settle Ireland down a bit, they’re missing the usual vigour we are used to seeing from them in attack.
02:47 PM GMT
27 mins: Italy 7 Ireland 7
Ioane flattens Hansen following a box-kick from the home side and that gets the crowd on its feet. Hansen does manage to get to his shortly after.
02:45 PM GMT
TRY! Keenan crosses to level the scores
Italy 7 Ireland 7 (Keenan) From the scrum, Gibson-Park quickly works it to the right to Crowley, and with Garbisi isolated, the fly-half plays it on to Keenan arriving with pace on the shoulder and he bursts through for Ireland’s first try.
Crowley converts with ease from under the posts.
02:43 PM GMT
23 mins: Italy 7 Ireland 0
Ireland had the penalty advantage though and they take it quickly to pick up where they left off, just short of the line.
Once again, they push and push for the line but to no avail and play is eventually brought back for an Italian knock on. Disappointing for the visitors but they have the scrum around five metres out.
02:41 PM GMT
Disallowed try! Bealham denied by TMO
Italy 7 Ireland 0 (Bealham) Ireland maul well following the line-out before Gibson-Park makes a dart for the line. He doesn’t reach but the visitors are now within a metre.
After a number of pushes for the line, it’s eventually Bealham who forces it over. There is a TMO check though and the try is disallowed as there was a double movement from the Irish prop.
02:38 PM GMT
19 mins: Italy 7 Ireland 0
Keenan’s box-kick puts Allan under pressure with Hansen charging the full-back down. Ireland quickly turn it over and earn the advantage as Page-Relo occupies an offside position but with Lamb down injured, the referee has to the call the foul.
Lamb has to make way in place of Cannone as Crowley finds the corner down Ireland’s right for the line-out.
02:35 PM GMT
18 mins: Italy 7 Ireland 0
Following the restart, Ireland quickly earn the scrum and once again Menoncello finds the gap to break the line of the Irish defence, to drive over halfway and into the visitors’ 22.
The move breaks down as Ireland earn the line-out but what a wonderful run once again from the inside centre.
02:32 PM GMT
Superb from Menoncello
That’s lovely from Menoncello. The fend past Hansen, the latest of late offloads to Paolo Garbisi out of a double tackle after drawing defenders in. Brilliant grubber from the No 10 to set up Ioane up but Menoncello was so good there.
02:31 PM GMT
TRY! Italy open the scoring with superb try
Italy 7 Ireland 0 (Ioane) As Italy shift the ball out to the left, Menoncello spots a gap in the Irish defence and does superbly to dart through it before offloading to the supporting Garbisi.
The fly-half then produces a sublime grubber kick for Ioane to chase down the left flank and it’s perfectly weighted for the winger to collect and cross for the first try of the day.
Allan converts from out wide. Great start for the hosts.
02:28 PM GMT
10 mins: Italy 0 Ireland 0
Capuozzo chases his own kick but Italy are penalised as Fischetti, who also chased the kick, was in an offside position. Ireland can find touch down their right for the attacking line-out.
As Ireland move the ball out to their left, Gibson-Parker plays a blind pass that Fischetti can intercept and Italy nudge the ball, way down the field towards the try-line. There is a race between Henshaw and Capuozzo, but with the Ireland man having a 10 metre head start, he is able to get there ahead of the Italian.
02:23 PM GMT
Sheehan left isolated out wide
Always amusing when you see a forward having an internal debate over whether to kick the ball or not. Dan Sheehan there, out on the wing, gave it a couple of seconds before he opted to lower his shoulder instead. Shame. Sheehan’s such a good all-round player he probably would have unleashed a spiral.
02:23 PM GMT
7 mins: Italy 0 Ireland 0
Page-Relo looks to catch Ireland out and burst down the left flank down the blind side of the line-out but he is nudged into touch.
A few moments later and Italy earn the advantage as Ireland knock it on inside their own half, and with no advantage coming from the move, the hosts have the scrum in a promising position to start an attack.
02:19 PM GMT
4 mins: Italy 0 Ireland 0
Italy enjoy a spell of possession to start the game but Ireland hold a strong defensive line to push them back inside their own half before Keenan claims a long kick forward.
The full-back claims a second kick moments later, but this time it’s inside his own 22 and he calls the mark. Even start!
02:16 PM GMT
1 min: Italy 0 Ireland 0
Following a typically passionate rendition of the Italian national anthem, we are underway in Rome with the hosts kicking things off going from right to left.
A reminder that this is essentially a must-win for Ireland to keep their title hopes alive.
02:12 PM GMT
Who are the officials?
England’s Luke Pearce has the whistle for Italy’s home match against Ireland and has Angus Gardner from Australia and South Africa’s Morné Ferreira running the line.
England’s Andrew Jackson will perform TMO duties and Tual Trainini from the French Rugby Union is the Foul Play Review Officer.
02:10 PM GMT
Kick-off approaching
The players have emerged from the tunnel at the Stadio Olimpico for their final match of this year’s Six Nations. Will Ireland take the opportunity to go top of the standings ahead of England and France’s games later on today?
The action begins shortly but before we get underway, it’s time for the national anthems. Up first is the anthem of Ireland.
02:07 PM GMT
‘Fast start really important’ says Easterby
Speaking on RTE, Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby said: “It was disappointing what went on in Dublin last week but we feel we’ve another opportunity to put a performance in and hopefully that performance will allow us to get the right result today.
“I think we just need to make sure we put scoreboard pressure on top of field position and territory pressure. We didn’t do that last week and gave France an opportunity to go down the other end and score themselves.
“A fast start, making sure we capitalise on our possession and territory, today is going to be really important.”
02:05 PM GMT
Will we see a cagey game or a rampant Ireland?
Unsure what to expect here. Ireland are either going to absolutely blow the doors off Italy - think how France turned up here ticked off after bombing those chances against England and then ran up 70 points - or it will be horribly cagey. Surely the former.
02:03 PM GMT
Gibson-Park on Murray retirement
Jamison Gibson-Park says he is “really lucky” to have learnt from Conor Murray, who will play his final game for Ireland this afternoon.
Gibson-Park said Murray, who has won five Six Nations titles, is “unbelievable and a great guy”.
“He was one of the best in the world for the guts of 10 years,” said Gibson-Park.
“I used to watch on and when I first arrived in Ireland I was kind of amazed at how good he was really, he was unbelievably consistent and I suppose in many ways I felt at that time I was probably a little inconsistent.
“So I looked up to guys like him for sure, and then getting into camp with him, it’s been awesome to rub shoulders with him. He’s such a great guy and he’s certainly helped my career.”
02:00 PM GMT
Chance at historic record for Italy
Victory against Ireland would see Italy record multiple victories in back-to-back years for the first time, having only previously done so in 2007 and 2013, prior to 2024.
01:57 PM GMT
Easterby and Porter on Dupont injury
France’s victory over Ireland saw them become tournament favourites, but Antoine Dupont’s season-ending knee injury dominated the headlines.
As the France captain was attempting to steal the ball, he was challenged by Tadhg Beirne, who then fell on to the scrum-half’s right leg as Ireland prop Andrew Porter joined the ruck.
Despite the pair avoiding sanctions in the game, France coach Fabien Galthie described the actions of Beirne and Porter as “reprehensible”.
But Ireland’s interim head coach Simon Easterby has said: “Without getting myself into trouble here, I just think it’s the game unfortunately.
“No player goes out to intentionally injure another player. For everyone, or for the majority of people watching, looking at it afterwards, everyone felt like it was a rugby incident which was really unfortunate.
“No player goes out to injure another player, it just doesn’t happen. Whatever the insinuations were from different people post-game, it’s disappointing because the unfortunate thing is people who don’t really understand the game pick up on it.”
Meanwhile, Porter said: “He [Galthie] can say what he wants, see how far it gets him.
“I knew what I did. I didn’t go out to try to injure anyone. That’s not the type of player I am.”
01:54 PM GMT
Final preparations
01:51 PM GMT
Irish fans out in force
I swear, the first words heard getting out of a taxi near the ground on arriving near the Stadio Olimpico were “it’s like a f------ invasion”.
It’s a good point - thousands upon thousands of Irish fans are in town for this one, green shirts as far as you can see. Conditions are muggy, hopefully the thunderstorms hold off.
01:49 PM GMT
Italy strong in the tackle
The Azzurri have made the most dominant tackles (66) and the joint-most turnover-winning tackles (12, level with Wales) of any team in this year’s championship.
Meanwhile, Simon Easterby’s side rank bottom for dominant tackles (33) and turnover-winning tackles (7).
01:47 PM GMT
Head to head
Ireland have dominated this fixture, winning 24 of their 25 Six Nations games against Italy.
Italy’s only triumph came in 2013 as they beat Ireland 22-15 in Rome, meaning they finished fourth in the table, ahead of Ireland in fifth.
Their 36-0 defeat in Dublin last year was the first time they have been whitewashed by Ireland.
01:43 PM GMT
Quesada on dropping his captain
Italy head coach Goncalo Quesada on dropping captain Michele Lamaro: “Manuel Zuliani deserved the opportunity from the first minute and at the same time we want to have greater leadership on the pitch in the final stages of the game.
“The match develops over 80 minutes and the contribution of all the players on the match list will be fundamental.”
01:39 PM GMT
Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?
Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.
01:37 PM GMT
Easterby on Crowley selection
On selecting Jack Crowley at 10 and links with a move to Leicester Tigers, Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby: “Jack knows how important he is to us. Regardless of selection across the last four games, he understands the role that he has and the standing he has in the group.
“He’s a great pro, he’s always looking to get better and we believe that for him to keep getting better, keeping getting experiences at this level and keep driving us forward as a team and being competitive in the number 10 position in particular, it’s important that he obviously plays his rugby in Ireland.
“And we are confident that will continue to happen.”
01:33 PM GMT
Elsewhere on Super Saturday
Shortly after the action concludes in Rome, England will stake their claim for the title as they travel to the Principality to face a Wales side looking for their first Test win in 17 games and their first Six Nations triumph in 11.
Following this, current leaders France will look to wrap up the title as they host Scotland in Paris, knowing now a bonus-point victory will guarantee them top spot.
01:29 PM GMT
The scene in Rome
01:27 PM GMT
Campaigns so far
Italy’s only victory of this year’s Six Nations came on the second weekend of action when they beat Wales 22-15 in Rome.
This came after a 31-19 defeat away against Scotland on the opening weekend and has been followed by heavier defeats against France and England.
Ireland, meanwhile, looked on course for a third successive title and a potential Grand Slam as they picked up the Triple Crown with hard-fought wins over England, Scotland and Wales to start their campaign.
However, a 42-27 defeat at home to France last time out destroyed any hopes of a Grand Slam and has seen them slip from pole position in the race for the title.
01:24 PM GMT
Ireland in the building
01:21 PM GMT
As things stand
France currently lead the way at the top of the standings on 16 points, with England a point behind in second and Ireland a point further back in third.
Scotland can still mathematically claim the title, sitting in fourth five points adrift of France, but this would require defeats for the top three and a huge swing in points difference.
In the battle to avoid the Wooden Spoon, Italy are currently a point ahead of Wales but, particularly with Matt Sherratt’s men boasting a superior points difference, it is still all to play for.
01:17 PM GMT
Those teams in full
Italy: Allan, Capuozzo, Brex (capt), Menoncello, Ioane; Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari, Lamb, Ruzza, Negri, Zuliani, Cannone.
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Cannone, Lamaro, Vintcent, Varney, Marin.
Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham; Ryan, Beirne; Conan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: McCarthy, Boyle, Furlong, McCarthy, O’Mahony, Murray, Prendergast, Aki.
01:13 PM GMT
Easterby makes six changes
Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby has made six changes to the team which started in the defeat against France with Sam Prendergast among those to drop out as Jack Crowley comes in at fly-half.
01:08 PM GMT
Seven changes for Italy
There are seven changes to the Italy team which were beaten by England with full-back Tommaso Allan among those to return to the side while captain Michele Lamaro is one of those who drops out.
01:03 PM GMT
Preview: Hopes of third consecutive Irish title hanging by a thread
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Six Nations as Italy host Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in the final round of games, with the visitors needing a win to keep their title hopes alive. Following their 42-27 defeat against France, Ireland must triumph to give themselves a chance of a third consecutive championship, with France and England in action later on today.
It’s the French who lead the way at the top of the standings following victory in Dublin, with England a point behind in second and Ireland another point back in third. Steve Borthwick’s side travel to take on Wales in the second match of Super Saturday before France wrap up this year’s tournament when they host Scotland this evening.
Therefore, Simon Easterby’s men will be desperate for a bonus-point win in Rome to give themselves a three-point advantage at the top before crossing their fingers and toes as they watch events unfold in Cardiff and Paris.
They take on an Italy side, though, who will be hungry to inflict a second successive Wooden Spoon upon Wales. The Azzurri, whose victory over Wales on the second weekend of the championship led to the resignation of Warren Gatland, are a point ahead of the Welsh, now under the guidance of interim head coach Matt Sherratt.
Despite losing all four of their games so far, Wales picked up two bonus points in the closing stages against Scotland to go within touching distance of Italy. And with a superior points difference to Gonzalo Quesada’s side, they will harbour hopes of a fifth-placed finish should Italy fall to another pointless defeat in Rome this afternoon.
Following that victory over Wales, Italy have been on the end of heavy defeats from France and England, conceding 117 points in the process.
