Summary

  • Ireland thrash Italy in Dublin to go top of Six Nations table with one round to go

  • Ireland will win the title if they secure bonus-point win in France next week

  • CJ Stander grabbed first try against Italy from a set-piece move

  • Debutant wing Hugo Keenan scored twice in first half

  • Will Connors secured bonus-point fourth try in second half

  • Johnny Sexton, Bundee Aki and Dave Heffernan tries followed

  • Watch Ireland v Italy Women's Six Nations match from 18:30 on BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer

  1. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Ireland 43-10 Italy

    Ever the perfectionist, Johnny Sexton still looked grumpy despite making that kick. He's still annoyed about missing the one before.

    Maxime Mbanda is on at flanker for Italy. As I said earlier he's just been given an Order of Merit in Italy for his work as a volunteer ambulance driver during the coronavirus pandemic.

  2. 'Phenomenal pass'published at 17:11 British Summer Time 24 October 2020

    Shane Horgan
    Former Ireland wing on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    That was a phenomenal pass from Peter O'Mahony, exactly what you want to see from your back row.

  3. try

    Converted try - Ireland 43-10 Italypublished at 70 mins

    Bundee Aki

    Magic from Peter O'Mahony!

    The big forward, just on as a sub, is chopped down but finds an offload any back would be proud of. As he falls to ground O'Mahony loops the ball to Bundee Aki who is away. Aki slides over the line for Ireland's sixth try but it's all about that offload.

    Sexton makes the kick this time.

  4. Postpublished at 69 mins

    Ireland 36-10 Italy

    This could get ugly for Italy now. The spaces are opening up and Ireland are causing all sorts of problems.

    The points could be crucial if teams end up level next weekend.

  5. 'Really good play'published at 17:07 British Summer Time 24 October 2020

    Shane Horgan
    Former Ireland wing on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    That was a really good try. The best phase-play in the game so far with multiple offloads, one-handed passes to get the ball away and a big carry from Caelan Doris.

  6. try

    Try - Ireland 36-10 Italypublished at 67 mins

    Johnny Sexton

    Johnny Sexton with the finish of a forward! He thumps across the try-line after lovely hands - and a galloping CJ Stander on the wing - earlier in the move.

    Sexton scuffs the kick to add the extras to his own try.

    Still, Ireland are motoring now.

    Sexton scoresImage source, Reuters
  7. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Ireland 31-10 Italy

    So, with that bonus point, Ireland now if they win with a bonus in Paris next week they'll win the Six Nations - regardless of what England or anyone else does.

  8. Will Ireland cut loose now?published at 17:03 British Summer Time 24 October 2020

    Shane Horgan
    Former Ireland wing on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Ireland will want to keep the hammer down but will they loosen up? if they do I am sure they will have more success. A bonus-point victory in Paris isn't something that's easy to come by so I'm sure they will want to get as many points as they can now!

  9. try

    Converted try - Ireland 31-10 Italypublished at 61 mins

    Will Connors

    There's the bonus point! Will Connors gets a debut try of his own.

    The crowd may not be here but I can still hear their booming cry in my mind as the Ireland maul pushes towards the line. It rumbles on and on, Italy can't stop it, and it's Connors who has the ball in hand as they tumble over.

    Sexton adds the conversion too.

  10. Postpublished at 61 mins

    Ireland 24-10 Italy

    Italy are offside after the line-out.

    Sexton goes for touch again. It's all about that bonus point.

  11. Postpublished at 60 mins

    Ireland 24-10 Italy

    This second half hasn't quite been the barrage of Ireland attacks we expected. They've got some attacking possession now, something they haven't had much of since half-time.

    The penalty comes, Italy's discipline letting them down again, and Sexton kicks long into the Italian 22.

  12. 'Padovani deserved that try'published at 16:56 British Summer Time 24 October 2020

    Shane Horgan
    Former Ireland wing on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Padovani came up fast to intercept and he's deserved that try. He has looked energetic, tried to get involved, and he's had a few carries and been one of their leading lights.

    Ireland need to be more ruthless. They had a brilliant attacking position but Murray was slow getting the ball to Sexton and he should have known the winger was coming up fast.

  13. try

    Converted try - Ireland 24-10 Italypublished at 55 mins

    Edoardo Padovani

    Interception!

    A moment Johnny Sexton won't want to see again. His pass to Robbie Henshaw is cut out around halfway and Edoardo Padovani runs free all the way to the try-line.

    It probably won't matter, but...

  14. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Ireland 24-3 Italy 3

    Italy at least get ball in hand this time but they're met by a green wall that pushes them further and further back.

  15. Postpublished at 52 mins

    Ireland 24-3 Italy

    Annnnd Italy make a mess of the line-out. So frustrating.

    Still, they've got another chance when a second penalty is given against Healy.

  16. Postpublished at 51 mins

    Ireland 24-3 Italy

    Italy have a rare chance to build something but they end up going backwards. A poor pass to Luca Morisi means the centre has to juggle the ball.

    The Italians come again and this time win a penalty - Cian Healy the Ireland player at fault.

    Paolo Garbisi kicks for touch.

    Dave Heffernan is on in Ireland's front row.

  17. Ireland showing new attacking intent?published at 16:46 British Summer Time 24 October 2020

    Shane Horgan
    Former Ireland wing on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    We are now seeing some of Ireland's forwards outside the ruck lining up to take the ball. It's only a little thing but it shows Ireland are trying to develop their game and move the ball.

    I'm a little disappointed we haven't seen more of it. We might see more in the last 10 minutes but you need to do it now when the intensity is there.

    The forwards are still a little bit concerned about throwing 15-yard passes when they are in the line. Until they feel comfortable doing that their attacking options will be very limited, especially against the bigger teams.

  18. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Ireland 24-3 Italy

    After less than seven minutes of the second half, Italy make a host of changes to their pack including an entirely new front row.

  19. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Ireland 24-3 Italy

    There's a fair bit of pressure on an Italian rugby player wearing Sergio Parisse's number eight shirt. Jake Polledri is the man taking over that mantle and he does well at the ruck to earn his side the turnover.

  20. Postpublished at 44 mins

    Ireland 24-3 Italy

    Beirne is good to continue for now at least. Italy safely collect the ball from the line-out but the clearing kick lacks distance. Ireland will have a chance to attack again.