It could not have been a more fitting farewell to one of the greats of the game. Brian O'Dsricoll was superb, Ireland were on top form and neutrals will have lapped up the running rugby.

Ireland will now head to Paris next week knowing the title is real possibility. The penultimate chapter went well Brian - what have you got for the grand finale?

Jack McGrath from a yard, Paddy Jackson misses the extras. Now back to BOD.

And man of the match is, Andrew Trimble!

No, of course it's not, it's Brian O'Driscoll. The crowd roar their approval - and to be honest it could not have been anyone else, he was superb.

Jonnie Horden:, external I know Brian O'Driscoll will get the Man of the Match award today, but honestly Gordon Darcy's beard will run a close second...

Geoffrey Hallam:, external How could you tackle Sean Cronin from the side if he was on the move? You would need ratchet straps and an anchor.

Eddie Butler
BBC Sport commentator

"Ireland need to make sure now they don't pick up any injuries in these last couple of minutes. It is all about managing that now in these closing stages."

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Former Ireland hooker Denis McBride on 5 live Sport: "Ireland went through the phases, recycling the ball and it's good to see McFadden score there from the centre, playing where he's best and not out on the wing. This is so positive, seeing what he can do."

As I was saying, Ireland's intensity has dropped... and there's another try.

Fergus McFadden snipes over by the sticks and Paddy Jackson converts via the medium of drop-kick.

It's been blowing a rugby tempest in Dublin today but the storm seems to have finally eased to a breeze.

Ireland are trying to attack from deep but their efforts lack the intensity of earlier.

The big screen shows Brian O'Driscoll seated in the stands - the resulting noise sounds like Beatle-mania.

Fewer than 10 minutes to go now - can Ireland add to their points advantage? They will travel to Paris to play France next week knowing that victory could give them the title, and points difference is likely to be the deciding factor.

James Hardman:, external O'Driscoll the magician. Going to be a massive loss for Ireland after the Six Nations. Legend.

Ryan Kerr:, external Brian O'Driscoll - can we have one more year please? Rugby God.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Former Ireland hooker Denis McBride on 5 live Sport: "Italy stripped the ball off Ireland but the hosts recovered it again, and Cronin collected the ball at pace and dived in at the corner. Again, good tempo from Ireland, keeping the ball in the red zone, and the gap opened up and they took full advantage.

"We said Ireland needed to kick on in this second half and not let Italy back into this game, and they certainly have done that with these three tries."

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One

"Sean Cronin really is one of the paciest hookers around. Ireland did well to recover what looked like a turnover and then you see Cronin's turn of pace."

Oh, bad miss by Ireland.

Oh, they've scored after all.

Chris Henry should have passed with the Kearney brothers outside him but the flanker got whiteline fever.

Italy turn over possession through Angelo Esposito but Ireland immediately recover the ball through Devin Toner and replacement hooker Sean Cronin cracks on the pace to score.

Replacement Paddy Jackson converts from out wide and it's party time in Dublin.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Former Ireland hooker Denis McBride on 5 live Sport: "We will probably not see another like Brian O'Driscoll in our lifetimes. They seem to come along every other generation. I feel very privileged today to have seen his performance. I think it was the right decision to take him off - that way we'll see him play in Paris."

Former England hooker Brian Moore:, external Brian O'Driscoll's only regret will be Irish haven't won as much as they should when he played. Winning in Paris would help put that right.

Eddie Butler
BBC Sport commentator

"A rousing farewell from the crowd as Brian O'Driscoll goes off and a pat on the back from his team-mates. His international career is not over with Ireland going to France next weekend."

The hero departs the field, cheered to the rafters. It's been a brilliant performance by Brian O'Driscoll - who is surely man of the match - and when he is replaced (with the potential title decider in Paris next week in mind) he receives a standing ovation.

It's an ovation not just in recognition of a career for the ages, and not just to say goodbye to a legend on his final Ireland appearance on home soil, but one that acknowledges a superb display as well.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Former Ireland hooker Denis McBride on 5 live Sport: "Make that three moments of brilliance from Brian O'Driscoll now. Ireland are keeping the tempo high and Italy cannot live with it. Great offloading from O'Driscoll."

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One

"A sweet try and it was Mr Magic Hands once again. Brian O'Driscoll really is Ireland's most influential player today. There was a lot of talk in the media centre hoping that he would get man of the match today and I genuinely cannot see any other candidate.

"It is once again all about the sleight of hand - the unpredictability of where he is going to send the ball. It has taken moments of magic from him to unlock the Italy defence today."

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Jonny Sexton scores but that is down to a moment of genius from Brian O'Driscoll.

The veteran centre fakes the run-around pass with Sexton that led to the first try and instead hammers into the Italy midfield. He draws two men and then conjures a glorious head-high, back-of-the-hand offload to get Ireland attacking space on the outside, and Sexton finishes things off in the corner.

The legs may eventually go but the class never disappears.