Italy 17-22 Ireland

Italy v Ireland Match Reports

Ireland secured a nervy 22-17 bonus-point victory over Italy in Rome to keep their title hopes alive. A tight first-half contest developed with Monty Ioane touching down for Italy before Hugo Keenan replied with a try for Ireland. Tommaso Allan nailed a long range penalty kick to put the home side back in the lead. But Italy suffered a blow when Michele Lamaro was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on just before halftime. Ireland took immediate advantage to score a try through Dan Sheehan and end the half 12-10 ahead. After the break, Sheehan got a second try to extend the visitors' lead. Italy lost another player when Ross Vintcent received a 20-minute red card for head contact in a tackle. Sheehan completed his hat-trick when he touched down in the 58th minute to secure a 4-try bonus-point for Ireland. Heading into the final quarter, Stephen Varney got a try back for Italy who trailed by just 5-points. Italy pushed hard for a match-winning score, but Ireland held firm to put themselves in contention for a third straight Championship title. A selection of match reports is listed below:

• Six Nations Guide: Ireland survive scare to secure bonus-point win over Italy
• BBC: Ireland beat Italy to keep faint title hopes alive
• Daily Mail: Dan Sheehan hat-trick propels Ireland to potentially vital bonus-point victory to keep slender Six Nations hopes alive
• Sky Sports: Visitors edge to nervy Six Nations Super Saturday in Rome as title hopes fade
• ESPN: Ireland edge Italy to keep slim title hopes alive
• Irish Independent: Dan Sheehan hat-trick helps unconvincing Ireland get bonus point win in Rome to keep slim Six Nations hopes alive