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

Live Reporting

Matthew Henry

  1. Ireland 24-3 Italy

    After a bit of tussling on the halfway line, Sexton pins Italy back into their 22 with a kick for touch.

    The Ireland physios are on treating Tadhg Beirne for what looks like a shoulder issue.

  2. Ireland 24-3 Italy

    Ireland are almost certainly going to win this game and you'd fancy they'd get one more try in this half for the bonus point too.

    If they get a bonus-point win today and do the same next week in Paris they will win the Six Nations.

  3. Kick-off

    Ireland 24-3 Italy

    Andy Farrell is shaking his head about something after re-emerging for the second half. You'd think he'd be happy after that first half.

    The Ireland players jog out at this deserted stadium.

    We're off again.

  4. Indeed, two of Sexton's three conversions were from right out on the touchline. There has been no sign of rust from the Ireland skipper on his return to the international stage.

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    Alan Ferguson: Johnny Sexton's brought his kicking boots today. Which is handy as he’s Ireland kicker

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  7. Half-time stats

    Ireland 24-3 Italy

    • 246 Metres 128
    • 8 Defenders beaten 8
    • 2 Clean breaks 2
    • 5 Turnovers conceded 4
    • 4 Penalties conceded 7

    Not perfect but clinical.

  8. 'Farrell will be happy with the scoreboard'

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

    Andy Farrell will be happy with the scoreboard, zoning in on the four tries they need for the bonus point.

    He won't be happy with the long kicking game and will want to see some of the handling errors cut out but on the whole he will be delighted, especially with the amount of turnovers which have stopped Italy getting into the game.

    Ireland celebratePA Media

  9. Half-time

    Ireland 24-3 Italy

    Italy get the ball off the field as quick as they can.

    That was a pretty comprehensive half of rugby from Ireland.

  10. 'Italy showing fatigue'

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

    Ireland look out on their feet, they are hanging on for half-time. You can see tiredness and fatigue etched across their faces.

  11. Ireland 24-3 Italy

    There are 20 seconds to go in the half and Italy have a line-out in their own 22.

  12. Ireland 24-3 Italy

    Just one more try needed for a bonus-point win for Ireland. That's all today was about. They're doing all they can to stay in the hunt for the 2020 Six Nations title.

  13. 'Exceptional effort to go all the way'

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

    I thought it went forward but after Ireland regathered the ball that was really exceptional to go all the way down the field to score.

  14. try

    Converted try - Ireland 24-3 Italy

    Hugo Keenan

    This one counts! A brilliant breakaway try for Ireland and a second for debutant Hugo Keenan.

    It all starts with Caelan Doris winning the ball at a ruck in his own 22. Ireland sprint away and Conor Murray unleashes speedster Keenan with a kick through.

    There's no catching the wing and he adds Ireland's third converted try.

    KeenanReuters

  15. Ireland 17-3 Italy

    Italy have a spring in their step after that decision. They've strung together 14 phases and are in the Irish 22.

  16. 'Super soft decision'

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

    I think that is super soft. James Ryan is pretty much stationary. I think the Italian player found it useful to run into him. Perhaps by the letter of the law but that's very soft to me.

  17. No try

    Ireland 17-3 Italy

    Argh. Now this wouldn't have gone down well at a full Aviva Stadium.

    James Ryan is punished for blocking an Italian defender earlier in the move.

    It was brilliant, magic feet from Jacob Stockdale to give Keenan the chance. Sadly for Ireland, it's all for nothing.

  18. Second Keenan try?

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

    They may be looking at possible blocking lines from Ireland players.

  19. Ireland 17-3 Italy

    Hugo Keenan is over for a second try in two minutes! But will it count?

  20. 'An amazing feeling'

    Ireland 17-3 Italy

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

    Well done Hugo Keenan, that's exactly what you want in your first international. That's an amazing feeling. He showed some good footwork and fended off well to get over the line.