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Much-improved Ireland hammer inaccurate Italy to kick-start Six Nations campaign

Tom Cary
·26-min read
Italy v Ireland, Six Nations 2021: live score and latest updates from Rome - GETTY IMAGES
Italy v Ireland, Six Nations 2021: live score and latest updates from Rome - GETTY IMAGES

Death, taxes and Italy drubbings. This result will do nothing to silence those who argue that Italy are undeserving of their protected Six Nations status. Franco Smith’s team were dreadful. That is now 139 points and 19 tries they have conceded in three games. But in terms of getting Ireland out of a rut this was useful enough exercise.

Ireland had arrived in Rome with criticism of their attacking play ringing in their ears, boasting the fewest number of tries in the first two rounds of this year’s championship (two), the fewest linebreaks (eight) and joint-fewest offloads (six). They left feeling like the All Blacks.

Six tries, another perfectly good one ignored by the TMO Romain Poite, plus two more which were chalked off in a ludicrously one-sided second half at the Stadio Olimpico, were just what the doctor ordered for Andy Farrell’s men.

While Scotland and England will provide far sterner tests, Ireland’s confidence will be buoyed by some of the combinations and play they put together here. And there were some fine individual performances. Will Connors, the young Leinster openside, was immense, bagging himself two tries. The entire back row were brilliant, in fact, with Tadhg Beirne a rampaging nuisance on the blindside and CJ Stander carrying hard as ever.

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose were direct and inventive midfield, while the performances of a pair of 21 year-old replacements, Munster scrum half Craig Casey and Leinster lock Ryan Baird, offered a glimpse of the future. Farrell was effusive in his praise of both of them afterwards. And controlling all of it was Johnny Sexton, Ireland’s captain, who was magisterial on his return from concussion.

But really, Italy were so poor it was hard to know how much we learned. “Does that prepare us well for Murrayfield?” Farrell asked. “I thought our performance and our attitude was spot on today. It’s not nice coming off two losses. We talked about it as a test of character. We stayed strong and stayed united together. I thought we laid the platform really well in the first half and our intent was really good. We earned the right to score a few points in the second half, which is what we did.”

It is difficult to argue with that. After a poor start, in which they conceded two penalties in the first three minutes, the second of them converted by Paolo Garbisi, Ireland drew level from the boot of Sexton, on his 50th Six Nations appearance. From then on it was one-way traffic.

Ireland thought they had scored after nine minutes when Iain Henderson burrowed over from close range, but after grounding the ball it squirted free and Italy simply played on. The TMO, inexcusably, failed to bring play back. No matter, Ireland had blood in the nostrils and Garry Ringrose jinked through Carlo Canna and Monty Ioane a couple of minutes later after Jamison Gibson-Park showed good ambition to spin the ball away from a breakdown.

Hugo Keenan was next on the scoresheet with what was probably the try of the day. Good work from Gibson-Park and Sexton on the blindside sent Jordan Larmour clear. Then when the ball came back across the field, a beautiful pop from Ringrose to Keenan saw the young Leinster full back go galloping through.

Connors, who had been everywhere in the first half an hour, scything Italians down and getting up to win penalty turnovers, got his first try of the day before the break and again it involved some nice offloading and interplay between Ronan Kelleher, Sexton and Larmour.

Italy were simply overwhelmed in the second half with prop Giosue Zilocchi and hooker Luca Bigi both sent to the sin bin. Ireland took full advantage, Stander, Connors and Earls getting in on the act, the visitors’ last try coming with the last play of the game and - aptly - involving a beautifully-weighted pass from Sexton, who moved to centre following Billy Burns’ introduction.

Farrell was justifiably satisfied with his players. Casey, in particular, provided real speed from nine, while Baird looks a player. “They became men today,” Farrell said. “The only thing that I asked of them today was to be themselves. They were nerveless all week.”

With Joey Carbery making his return for Munster on Friday after what feels like years out injured, this was an encouraging weekend for Ireland. But no more than that. Italy, for whom this was a 30th straight Six Nations defeat, were so poor.

“We’ve come in for some flak over the last two weeks but internally as a group I don’t think we’ve ever been so confident,” was Sexton’s verdict.

“With the coaches we have and the players coming out of their shells...Craig Casey - I’d never played with him before but his attitude, I can only compare it to someone like Jonny Wilkinson. It’s inspiring for guys like me at the other end of our careers. And Ryan was outstanding when he came on.We need to keep our performance level like that. We’re playing two very good sides in our last two games.”

Match details

Scoring: 3-0 Garbisi pen; 3-3 Sexton pen; 3-8 Ringrose try; 3-10 Sexton con; 3-13 Sexton pen; 3-18 Keenan try; 3-20 Sexton con; 3-25 Connors try; 3-27 Sexton con; 8-27 Meyer try; 10-27 Garbisi con; 10-32 Stander try; 10-34 Sexton con; 10-39 Connors try; 10-41 Sexton con; 10-46 Earls try; 10-48 Sexton con

Italy: J Trulla, L Sperandio (M Bellini 40), I Brex (F Mori 67), C Canna, M Ioane, P Garbisi, C Braley (G Palazzani 78); A Lovotti (C Traore 44), L Bigi, M Riccioni (G Zilocchi 44) (M Lucchesi 70), M Lazzaroni (N Cannone 44), D Sisi, S Negri (M Mbanda 75), J Meyer, M Lamaro

Yellow cards: G Zilocchi 59, L Bigi 65

Ireland: H Keenan, J Larmour (K Earls 41), G Ringrose, R Henshaw (B Burns 70), J Lowe, J Sexton, J Gibson-Park (C Casey 63); D Kilcoyne (C Healy 47), R Kelleher (R Herring 63), T Furlong (A Porter 47), I Henderson (R Baird 63), J Ryan, T Beirne, W Connors, CJ Stander (J Conan 63)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

04:15 PM

Six Nations table

04:15 PM

Full-time debrief

There is not really too much more to say other than Ireland, are on their day, would trouble most sides in the world, as evidenced here.

The aim for Andy Farrell currently to try and make sure that 'their day' occurs frequently, that they are more consistent.

Today feels a bit like a bit of a step back for Italy, too. They were never really in it - the opening three minutes aside - and were comprehensively beaten, wholeheartedly outclassed.

You feel there is the makings of a good Azzurri team here - Paolo Garbisi is a precious talent at fly-half - but when they suffer with injuries to starting players, as they are with Polledri, Steyn, Fischetti, Zanon and Varney, they don't have the depth to compete with the best.

04:10 PM

CON SEXTON Italy 10 Ireland 48

Great strike from the wrong side for Sexton, who has been immaculate of the tee today.

And that's it.

04:08 PM

TRY EARLS Italy 10 Ireland 46

Another penalty against Italy - Brex with a side entry - as Ireland approach the Italy line.

Casey taps quickly, Sexton puts in the mis-pass, and Earls dots down in the corner.

Comprehensive.

04:06 PM

79 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 41

Italy try to bash down the Irish door on halfway, but there's not much ambition before Palazzani (on for Braley) box-kicks. They just want the final whistle.

Burns kicks back, down the throat of Ioane, as Italy look to give it one last lash. But Bellini's pass into touch if poor (and forward) and Ireland will have one last shot to add a sixth try.

04:03 PM

77 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 41

Ireland's attempt at a first-phase strike move is pretty awful, especially considering the lack of pressure, and Lovotti drops down quickest to div on the loose ball.

Italy kick downfield and Bellini leaps highest to catch the ball as Italy look to end on a high.

Garbisi puts a cheeky grubber in behind and the bounce is an awkward one for Keenan, but the chasing Mbanda just cannot collect. Ireland eventually get back and Sexton clears to halfway

04:01 PM

75 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 41

Lowe flying down the left tramline again, after a beauty of a pass from Sexton, but the wing just can't keep the ball in play.

03:57 PM

73 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 41

Lovotti knocks on second phase for Italy, a fitting surmise of their performance today. Little has gone right for them.

Ireland will put into the scrum on halfway.

03:56 PM

72 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 41

Another lineout blocking offence from Ireland and Italy are spared more anguish.

They haven't been great today, the Azzurri, but Ireland, to their credit, have been.

03:55 PM

71 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 41

Italy are marmelised at the scrum, Ireland win the penalty, and Burns - now on - sticks it in the corner. And he finds touch...

03:54 PM

NO TRY Italy 10 Ireland 41

Ruled out again. Forward out of Casey's hand to Lowe.

Shattered Italy are spared.

03:53 PM

TRY LOWE Italy 10 Ireland 46

The whole Ireland bench bar Billy Burns is on now.

Garbisi's restart is a pip and Bellini catches on the full but 13-man Italy are flagging, and Ireland spoil it.

The visitors power their way up field, before Lowe cuts a peach of a line off Casey - who has looked sharp off the bench - to go under the sticks.

This is being checked again...

03:50 PM

TRY CONNORS/CON SEXTON Italy 10 Ireland 41

It's another for the Ireland openside. Sexton kicked to the corner, and it's a simple maul try, with Ireland splintering the 13 men of Italy.

Under the sticks, Sexton slots a quickfire conversion.

03:49 PM

66 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 34

Ireland have rung the changes - will update shortly.

Italy are caught offside - again - as Lowe returned Canna's clearing kick with interest.

And another yellow card for Italy - captain Bigi off for offside - and the Azzurri are now down to 13.

03:47 PM

NO TRY Italy 10 Ireland 34

That one is ruled out correctly by Poite - there was an Irish knock-on on the floor.

Nice of him to get one right.

03:46 PM

TRY STANDER Italy 10 Ireland 39

Kelleher taps and goes after Ireland win a scrum penalty and he's absolutely clobbered by three Italian defenders.

But Stander picks and barges his way over from close range.

The TMO has intervened, however, we're checking a knock-on on the floor...

03:42 PM

59 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 34

Italy compound the error by infringing again at the ensuing lineout and, in the space of two minutes, the Azzurri have gone from an attacking lineout on the Ireland five-metre line to defending a lineout in their own 22.

Stander taps and Henshaw gets over the gainline. Kelleher and Gibson-Park snipe to take Ireland up to within five metres of the Italy line before a shrill from the whistle of Raynal.

Prop Giosue Zilocchi is sent to the sin bin for using his hands in the ruck. And Ireland, unsurprisingly, choose to scrum.

03:38 PM

56 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 34

Italy on the front foot now, with a thunderous cary from Meyer down the right touchline.

A charging Traore skittles Stander on the next phase, and Healy is penalised for a high-tackle in bringing down the motoring Italian prop.

Canna puts the ball into the corner. Italy have the lineout five metres out.

But they are penalised, like Ireland were minutes earlier, for a maul obstruction.

03:35 PM

54 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 34

Beirne with a magnificent carry down the left touchline as Ireland make strides into the Irish half, but Healy knocks on a simple pass from the next phase.

Italy clear downs field, and Earls puts his responding kick straight out. Italy to throw in on halfway.

03:34 PM

52 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 34

Scrum penalty to Ireland as Traore stands up under pressure.

But Ireland blunder at the ensuing lineout, obstructing the Italy players while setting up the maul, and the home side kick clear.

03:31 PM

49 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 34

Kelleher's throw is squint, granting Italy a reprieve, and Braley clubs the ball clear,

But Ireland come streaking back, with Lowe breaking down the left. His offload inside to Kelleher is a mile forward but it's missed (again) by the referee.

Oh, no, he's had an intervention from upstairs and Italy will put into a scrum deep in their own half.

03:27 PM

The reason for Larmour's withdrawal

03:27 PM

47 mins: Italy 10 Ireland 34

It's fairly and attractive rugby from Italy on halfway, moving the ball and looking for space, but it is not reaping too many rewards.

Eventually, Braley box-kicks down Gibson-Park's throat, and Ireland counter. Lowe grubbers into Italy's half, and it's a major win for Ireland as Trulla boots the ball directly out.

Porter and Healy are entering for Ireland; Furlong and Kilcoyne exiting.

03:24 PM

CON SEXTON: Italy 10 Ireland 34

No problem for Ireland's skipper; their lead is now 24.

And Italy ring the changes, with both props and a lock departing.

03:23 PM

TRY STANDER Italy 10 Ireland 32

Gibson-Park snipes from the back of Ireland's static lineout maul.

Furlong blasts Ireland to withing a metre, before Stander flops onto the line. That's the bonus point for Ireland.

Italy have not carrier their momentum and concentration from the end of the first half into this one. At all.

03:21 PM

Half-time changes

The two No 23s are on - Keith Earls and Mattia Bellini - and the two no 14s are off - Jordan Larmour and Luca Sperandio.

We are back underway in Rome, and Italy have conceded another penalty - without a minute having been played.

Sexton goes to the corner...

03:19 PM

Half-time stats

The standouts:

  • 15 penalties conceded in that half (8 for Italy, 7 for Ireland)

  • 15 missed tackles by the Italians (you don't need me to tell you that's too many in 40 minutes at this level)

  • Despite have less possession territory, Ireland have conceded twice as many turnovers (five) than Italy (two)

  • Four defenders beaten by Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan in that half

03:10 PM

Keenan's try

03:09 PM

Italy's try

03:09 PM

Half-time: Italy 10 Ireland 27

Italy were convincingly outplayed for large parts of that half, but the late try (from Meyer) has made the scoreboard look respectable. But they still have a long way to go to make Ireland panic.

The Irish forwards have been on top, with Stander, Beirne, Connors and Henderson terrorising Italy at the breakdown, and in such circumstances it makes life a lot easier for your backs. All three of Ireland's tries - Ringrose, Keenan and Connors - have been well taken and, although there will be disappointment to have conceded at the end of the half, that was a confident 40 minutes from the visitors.

03:05 PM

CON GARBISI Italy 10 Ireland 27

What a strike that is from Garbisi, from the left touchline. A phenomenal talent.

Italy have hope, at least, but they still trail by 17 as the half-time whistle blows.

03:04 PM

TRY MEYER Italy 8 Ireland 27

A scrum penalty to Italy - against Kilcoyne for dropping the elbow - and Canna sticks the ball back into the corner.

Italy with a five-metre lineout, then, and Bigi finds Negri at the tail as the ignite a maul.

The maul comes to nothing but then there's an impromptu moment of brilliance from Garbisi down the blindside.

He darts between two defenders before flicking a delightful offload to Meyer, who barges through Larmour to score. A lifeline.

03:00 PM

39 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 27

Italy look to end the half on a high, winning an offside penalty just inside the Ireland 22 in midfield.

Canna gives Italy the lineout 10 metres out from the Irish line. Putting it bluntly, the Azzurri need to come away with a score from this.

Free-kick to Italy after an early jump from Ireland. Scrum called by the hosts as the clock tips into red...

02:58 PM

CON SEXTON Italy 3 Ireland 27

A terrific strike from Sexton gives Ireland a 24-point lead. That will surely be enough.

For Italy, half-time cannot come quickly enough.

02:56 PM

TRY CONNORS Italy 3 Ireland 25

The dam has burst.

Stander wins the holding-on penalty in midfield - looked suspect, but he got away with it.

And Ireland look to rub salt in just before half-time, from a lineout inside the Italy 22 and, Connors ends up going over wide on the left side after another gorgeous offload - this time from Larmour.

02:53 PM

CON SEXTON Italy 3 Ireland 20

Sexton increases Ireland's lead.

02:52 PM

TRY KEENAN Italy 3 Ireland 18

Ireland work the shortside with Sexton putting Larmour into some space.

And then a gorgeous offload from Ringrose - and a lethal line from Keenan- gives the Irish full-back a simple run-in.

02:51 PM

30 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 13

Italy make a mess of Ireland's driving maul and win the turnover after hauling the visitors into touch.

The hosts work through the phases again, with Ioane lurking dangerously and Lazzaroni punching with venom, but Braley's snipe is ill-judged and Henderson and Beirne win the holding-on penalty.

And Sexton duly thumps the ball downfield for an Ireland lineout in the Italy half.

02:47 PM

28 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 13

A few resets, and a free-kick against Furlong for an early engage.

But we scrum again.

And it's a monstrous right shoulder from Kilcoyne and Riccioni drops it under pressure - penalty Ireland!

An absolute stonewaller - Kilcoyne munched him.

02:44 PM

Ringrose's opening score

02:43 PM

24 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 13

Ireland knock on in the lineout as they compete fiercely, so Italy are off the hook and will put into the first scrum of the game.

02:42 PM

24 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 13

Italy work their way purposefully into the Ireland 22, with Meyer and Ioane carrying dynamically, and Garbisi patrolling with zeal.

Ireland concede two penalties in succession - both at the ruck - and Italy turn down the chance for three and stick it in the corner. Big call.

Both sides have conceded five penalties. It might not be long until Monsieur Raynal runs out of puff.

02:40 PM

22 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 13

Ireland look to attack down the right as they return the drop-out, but Italy's defence is solid, and Lovotti wins the holding-on penalty.

Garbisi then gives his side a lineout inside the Ireland half.

02:39 PM

20 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 13

A super turnover from Connors of Ireland, alert to the fact that Italy had left the ball unaccompanied, loose, at the back of a ruck.

But Sexton's kick is too long and Ioane dots down in-goal under little pressure.

22-drop to the hosts.

02:37 PM

PEN SEXTON Italy 3 Ireland 13

A sweet strike from the skipper; 10 points now the lead.

The penalties are really being racked up by the hosts, too. Five already, which is not sustainable.

02:36 PM

17 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 10

Negri knocks on in midfield, before Lovotti compounds the error by using his hands in the subsequent ruck.

Sexton will have a long-range pop at goal.

02:34 PM

16 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 10

Lowe calls the mark after Garbisi goes to the skies, before Ireland look to strike from midfield.

A nifty, trademark wrap-around from Sexton ends with Italy penalised for a ruck indiscretion, but Gibson-Park isolates himself after tapping the penalty quickly and Italy win the holding-on penalty.

I might add that, at the minute, Monsieur Raynal is deciding whether to award penalties with the same coin that he tossed to decide the kick-off. Pot luck.

02:30 PM

CON SEXTON Italy 3 Ireland 10

No mistake from Sexton and Ireland take the lead.

If it's that easy all afternoon, it could be a long one.

02:29 PM

TRY RINGROSE Italy 3 Ireland 8

In the end it doesn't matter, as a swift Ireland attack sees Ringrose dart under the posts after the visitors go through the phases.

Good vision from Gibson-Park there, too.

02:27 PM

10 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 3

Hang on...

Henderson "knocked on" over the line, but he clearly, unequivocally scored. He ground the ball perfectly and then it spurted away. And now they cannot go back.

It's an absolute shocker from the referee and TMO. Sexton, as you might imagine, is not best pleased.

02:26 PM

10 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 3

Ireland immediately on the front foot with an over-the-top throw to Henshaw. Kelleher carries hard, Keenan too, as they approach the Italy line, but Henderson knocks on a metre short.

And Italy look to counter! Ioane clears to halfway but the chase is a little limp from the hosts and Ireland win a penalty for not rolling away...

02:24 PM

8 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 3

Italy dither with the ball on halfway and Kelleher pounces immediately, getting swiftly into that perfect jackal position to win a holding-on penalty.

Sexton gives his side a lineout on the Italian 22.

02:23 PM

PEN SEXTON Italy 3 Ireland 3

A good sharpener for the Ireland captain, and the away sides are back level after having doing very little.

02:22 PM

6 mins: Italy 3 Ireland 0

And Italy immediately ruin the good work.

All looked to be going so swimmingly. They plucked the restart out of the piercing Rome sun and, after one carry, Garbisi launched the ball downfield.

But captain Bigi was in front of his kicking fly-half, and Sexton will have a chance to even out the scores.

02:20 PM

PEN GARBISI Italy 3 Ireland 0

Easy as you like for Garbisi off the tee. A great start for the hosts.

02:20 PM

4 mins: Italy 0 Ireland 0

Riccioni and Negri carry hard in midfield as Italy remain patient throughout their attack in the Ireland 22. A sleak, off-the-top lineout kicked it all off, incidentally.

Furlong is penalised at a ruck in the middle of the park, and Garbisi will have a sitter to give the home side the lead.

02:18 PM

2 mins: Italy 0 Ireland 0

Gibson-Park clears the kick-off for Ireland before Italy look to run it back.

A swift start sees Lazzaroni find an inch of space down the right, before Ireland are penalised for a ruck infringement.

And Garbisi puts it into the corner about 15 metres from the Irish line.

02:16 PM

Kick-off

Anthems are all done in Rome.

Here we go...

02:11 PM

Varney out; Braley in

Confirmed by Italy. That warm-up injury to Stephen Varney has ruled him out of today's match, with former Gloucester scrum-half Callum Braley (now with Benetton) taking his place.

Guglielmo Palazzani comes onto the Italian bench.

And now the anthems...

02:09 PM

A few startling stats...

Ireland have double the amount of caps in their starting XV in comparison to Italy. The two inside centres today, Robbie Henshaw and Carlo Canna, are being capped for the 50th time.

On the Irish side, this is the first time they have fielded an all-Leinster backline for the first time since 1931...

02:03 PM

A bit of (vague) breaking news

Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney - the Gloucester half-back - has just jogged out of the Italy warm-up in extreme discomfort. Looks as if he might have done something to one of his valuable fingers...

No word as of yet as to whether he is out or whether it's a case of clicking it back in and strapping it up.

02:01 PM

A word on Italy

I wrote this before the Azzurri's match with England, and my thoughts on their development have not changed one jot. The wish to boot them out of the Six Nations is lazy, myopic and, although it is besides the point, who you would you replace them with?

Italy have spent years trying not to lose Six Nations matches - now they are paying the price for trying to win them.

Franco Smith, Italy head coach - REUTERS
Franco Smith, Italy head coach - REUTERS

01:52 PM

Sexton's importance

01:49 PM

Key battle

It will be fascinating to see how the respective fly-halves go today; there are 15 years in age between them.

In the green corner is the steady hand, the experienced head, the man who has almost achieved it all: Johnny Sexton. And in the blue is the emerging pretender, the stylish, precocious hotshot at the heart of rejuvenating Italy's attack: Paolo Garbisi, the first player born in the 2000s to play in the Six Nations.

With the incessant debate surrounding Sexton's continual selection in the Irish side, this head-to-head has never seemed more intriguing.

 Ireland's Johnny Sexton - REUTERS
Ireland's Johnny Sexton - REUTERS
Paolo Garbisi of Italy kicks the ball upfield during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium on February 13, 2021 in London - GETTY IMAGES
Paolo Garbisi of Italy kicks the ball upfield during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium on February 13, 2021 in London - GETTY IMAGES

01:33 PM

Rome weather update

Sixteen degrees, streaks of sunshine, perfect for a great game of rugby.

Oh to be there, Aperol in hand...

01:27 PM

Team news

Italy

Head coach Franco Smith has rewarded the efforts of his team against England by naming an unchanged starting XV for the visit of the Irish.

Starting XV: J Trulla, L Sperandio, J Ignacio Brex, C Canna, M Ioane, P Garbisi, S Varney; A Lovotti, L Bigi (c), M Riccioni, M Lazzaroni, D Sisi, S Negri, J Meyer, M Lamaro.
Replacements: G Lucchesi, C Traore, G Zilocchi, N Cannone, M Mbanda, C Braley, F Mori, M Bellini.

Ireland

Ireland have named a revamped front row of Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong as part of seven personnel changes.

Skipper Johnny Sexton and vice-captain James Ryan will return from head injuries in Rome but Conor Murray remains absent due to a hamstring injury, meaning Jamison Gibson-Park will continue at scrum-half.

Ryan's recall alongside Iain Henderson in the second row has resulted in Tadhg Beirne switching to blindside flanker in place of Rhys Ruddock, with Will Connors taking over from Josh Van Der Flier at openside.

Jordan Larmour is preferred to Keith Earls on the right wing, while Leinster lock Ryan Baird and Munster scrum-half Craig Casey could make their Test debuts from the bench.

Starting XV: H Keenan, J Larmour, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J Lowe, J Sexton (c), J Gibson-Park, D Kilcoyne, R Kelleher, T Furlong, I Henderson, J Ryan, T Beirne, W Connors, CJ Stander .
Replacements: R Herring, C Healy, A Porter, R Baird, J Conan, C Casey, B Burns, K Earls.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal

12:51 PM

Good afternoon!

After a fortnight hiatus, it is a pleasure to be able to welcome you back to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of the 2021 Six Nations. Although we had to put up with the fallow weekend, the off-field events have been anything but fallow. We have had a French Covid outbreak, the circumstances of which continue to be arcane, cancelled fixtures, debate and controversy surrounding red cards and their subsequent bans, and a bit of baiting from Eddie Jones. Some things never change...

But attention, for now, turns to Rome, and the visit of win-less Ireland to equally win-less Italy. The loser today is likely to be taking home the wooden spoon, but that does not mean to say that today's winner will be guaranteed a lowly fifth-placed finish. In the most unpredictable and hectic of Six Nations championships, there might still be more twists in the tale.

Ireland head to Rome on the back of two depressing defeats: firstly, away to Wales after being reduced to 14 men; then, an historic home loss to France followed. While France are favourites for the tournament, Ireland had enough opportunities to beat them on a day when Fabien Galthie's side were not at their best.

Italy, meanwhile, have shown signs of promise as they hunt for a first Six Nations win since 2015. They are developing an expansive style, driven by their beautifully skilful half-backs, Stephen Varney and Paolo Garbisi, and, in attack at least, they have ruffled a few feathers. It is somewhat ironic that it is in defence and up front where they have been struggling; two of their traditionally stronger areas.

Both teams might have made a poor start to the championship in terms of standings in the table, but they have both shown enough to suggest that there is plenty more to come. And both will be desperate to get their tournament's up and running with a win. Ireland are naturally, and correctly, favourites, but Italy have upset the odds against Ireland in the Rome sunshine before.