Get involvedpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Michael Jordan:, external How good is the Ireland Italy match mind?
The Bobcat Club:, external BOD makes another one. A bit of daylight at the end of the tunnel?
Summary
France snatch 17-19 win with late penalty against Scotland at Murrayfield
Huget scores length-of-field try from interception
Tommy Seymour & Stuart Hogg score for Scotland
Ireland score seven tries to beat Italy 46-7 in Dublin
Brian O'Driscoll named man of the match, wins a record 140th cap
Get involvedpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Postpublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
BBC Radio 5 live sports extraFormer Ireland hooker Denis McBride on 5 live Sport: "Magnificent hands from Brian O'Driscoll again, and great patience from Ireland in the build-up. O'Driscoll sold a magnificent dummy switch - which I think everyone inside this stadium bought - then the little pass to Trimble for the score. And a much healthier scoreline for Ireland now."
TRY (Trimble, con Sexton)published at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Image source, Getty ImagesI'm shattered just watching this. Ireland finally score as Brian O'Driscoll lobs a classy pass to Andrew Trimble and the winger beats the full-back to score, but it comes after a dizzying spell of play - from both sides.
Here's a precis: Ireland tap and go inside their 22, Gordon D'Arcy to O'Driscoll to Rob Kearney. The full-back makes 50m, a further blur of passing and bashing away by the hosts ends with Italy turning the ball over. Angelo Sarto gets the ball - can he go 80m? No. Ireland just haul him to ground, more rapid inter-passing, O'Driscoll takes charge, try. Got that? Good.
Postpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
He's over there Paul. Italy full-back Luke McLean throws a sublime dummy and Ireland captain O'Connell buys it like it's two for one at Tescos.
Italy are looking lively in the backs and they're getting stuck in up front as well.
Postpublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One"Ireland up against it here tactically. They have, marginally, the lion's share of the possession but they have not got the points to show for it. All the possession but too deep in their own half."
Postpublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
BBC Radio 5 live sports extraFormer Ireland hooker Denis McBride on 5 live Sport: "Ireland have a lead but it's not as far in front as they would want to be, I'm sure. They need to get back into possession quickly, get good ball and start building possession again."
PENALTY (Sexton)published at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
What a belter of a game. Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan snipes down the blind-side from a scrum but is hauled down just short before number eight Jamie Heaslip tries his luck. Italy hold out but they concede a penalty and Jonny Sexton pings it through the sticks.
Postpublished at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One"That was deserved. Italy with ball in hand have been looking that bit more dangerous. A loose kick through gave Italy the opportunity, Rob Kearney should have nailed his man and instead he made it difficult for his brother Dave coming across. A plucky defensive display by Italy and then they have taken their opportunity."
Postpublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Brian Moore
Former England hooker"Great opportunist try for Italy but Ireland not playing smart rugby - going wide before going forward, and a total absence of driving mauls."
Get involvedpublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
David Smart:, external That was a quality finish from Sarto...
Tom Hanneman:, external Italy are playing out of their skin!
TRY (Sarto, con Orquera)published at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Image source, AFPCracking solo score from Leonardo Sarto.
That had pretty much everything. Italy turn the ball over once more and go on the attack. They move it crisply wide before Andrew Trimble draws appreciative "oofs" from the crowd as he hammers his man back in the tackle.
The ball goes loose but Brian O'Driscoll's attempt to hack on only deposits it in winger Sarto's hands, and given a glimpse of the line he finishes in style. Rob Kearney is beaten for pace on the outside before baby brother Dave is left eating grass as Sarto steps inside and races over under the posts.
Lucian Orquera converts. This might be top against bottom but we most definitely have a game here.
Get involvedpublished at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Ciara Doherty:, external Come on Ireland! This is such a good match...
Emmett Butcher:, external Ireland are pressing up, playing well!
Postpublished at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Devin Toner must be the biggest thing to stride across the Irish turf since the Irish Elk went extinct. The 6ft 10in lock makes the initial hard yards as Ireland go close to a second try, only for the visitors to spirit the ball away with the hosts bashing away a yard from the line.
Toner's so tall, Vodafone want to put a mast on top of him. (Other mobile networks are available - you may well be reading this on one now).
Postpublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One"A 20 phase lung-busting bit of play there by Ireland but also good defence from Italy, forcing a mistake from Ireland. However, with Ireland's fitness, you would expect things to start opening up, particularly when we get into the last quarter."
Postpublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Image source, AFPIt's all no-look passes and behind-the-back flips from Ireland at the moment. Another Brian O'Driscoll gem nearly sets Jonny Sexton free - only a desperate grab of the jersey keeps him in check - before Jamie Heaslip delves into his box of tricks to give Andrew Trimble the chance to surge infield on the diagonal.
Ireland have lost scrum-half Conor Murray, with Eoin Reddan taking the field, while Martin Castrogiovanni is thought to have broken several ribs.
Postpublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
BBC Radio 5 live sports extraFormer Ireland hooker Denis McBride on 5 live Sport: "It's been a great opening 12 minutes, with lots of attempted running in an effort by both sides to play expansive rugby.
"An encouraging thing from an Italian perspective this season has been them trying to be more expansive and attacking, particularly with their talent on the wing. They can get beyond players and they're showing that now - they're by no means out of this game."
Postpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Italy look to open up and have the Irish defending vigorously inside their 22 with Angelo Esposito featuring prominently for the visitors, but the hosts manage to clear.
Positive play from the Italians.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Huge blow for Italy as a huge man leaves the field in the shape of Martin Castrogivanni.
The former Leicester prop's national record-breaking 105th cap lasts less time than it takes to cook al dente spaghetti. He looks gutted.
Get involvedpublished at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Ryan Kerr:, external BOD's class hands as always...
Fraser Kay:, external Sexton showing exactly what separates him from most fly-halves in world rugby. Not the most athletic, but such awareness.
Postpublished at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2014
Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One"That Jonny Sexton-Brian O'Driscoll combination working well. It is a start that will please Ireland but not Italy, they will not want to have conceded like this. It is all about the sleight of hand by O'Driscoll. A wonderful bit of deception."