Postpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
The words "shoulder to shoulder" are quite apt for these times.
After the anthems both sides pause in a moment of unity in the fight against racism.
The Six Nations will resume next...
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
Postpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Postpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Crowd or no crowd, the Italian players seem as passionate as ever. Now for Ireland...
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
It's time for the anthems. Italy are first with what is, quite frankly, the GOAT of national anthems.
Listen to live radio commentarypublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIf you want to listen to today's game then you can do so by clicking the audio icon at the top of this page.
If you do so you'll be greeted by commentary from BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra or BBC Radio Ulster.
Postpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
There are changes for Ireland too. Wing Hugo Keenan and flanker Will Connors are two debutants in this line-up.
The players emerge onto the pitch at an eerie Aviva.
Changes for Italypublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesThere are various tweaks in personnel and position in this Italy side.
20-year-old Paolo Garbisi makes his debut at fly-half.
Marcello Violi starts at scrum-half - his first cap for more than two years.
Flanker Maxime Mbanda is on the bench. He was named a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic this week for his services to the country during the pandemic. He worked as a volunteer ambulance among other things in the spring.
Six Nations 2020 recappublished at 15:20 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
It feels like eight years not eight months that the 2020 Six Nations began, right?
Here's a video to jog your memory of the action before the pandemic took hold.
Ireland were beaten by England in their last match, ending their Grand Slam hopes.
Big day of rugby aheadpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Of course this isn't the only game of rugby today.
Exeter Chiefs and Wasps meet in the Premiership final from 18:00 BST. You'll be able to follow that one with us on the BBC Sport website.
You can also watch Ireland v Italy in the Women's Six Nations on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website tonight from 18:30 BST.
Postpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Ugo Monye
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 LiveThere are so many permutations. For me, England are in the driving seat. It seems very unlikely Ireland can win with a bonus point in Paris.
Who can still win?published at 15:14 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Current leaders England are the favourites for the title but France, Scotland and Ireland can all still win it.
England's only game remaining is away against Italy next weekend - a game they'll be expected to win.
However, if Ireland secure bonus-point wins over Italy at the Aviva and then against France at Stade de France, they would be crowned champions regardless of the result England achieve in their rescheduled match.
Difficult but not impossible.
France could also still win the title if they claim a bonus-point victory over Ireland and England fail to match that against Italy.
Scotland's slim hopes rest on Ireland and England being beaten by Italy.
The teamspublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Ireland: Jacob Stockdale; Andrew Conway; Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Hugo Keenan; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Caelan Doris, Will Connors, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Peter O'Mahony, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw.
Italy: Jayden Hayward; Edoardo Padovani, Luca Morisi, Carlo Canna, Mattia Bellini, Paolo Garbisi, Marcello Violi; Danilo Fischetti, Luca Bigi, Giosue Zilocchi; Marco Lazzaroni, Niccolo Cannone; Sebastian Negri, Braam Steyn, Jake Polledri.
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Simone Ferrari, Pietro Ceccarelli, David Sisi, Johan Meyer, Maxime Mbanda, Callum Braley, Federico Mori.
Postpublished at 15:05 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesToday the championship resumes with Ireland v Italy from Dublin - the only outstanding fixture from round four.
Andy Farrell's Ireland are fourth in the standings but are one of four teams that can still win the title.
A bonus point win would put them top of the table before a difficult trip to Paris on the final weekend.
There'll be no home support - no renditions of Fields of Athenry - today. The players will have the Aviva Stadium to themselves.
Postpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesRewind seven months and the world was a very different place. Lockdown and social distancing were lesser-known terms and the toilet roll stockpiling was just beginning.
The 2020 Six Nations soon came to a screeching halt and ever since the tournament has been in limbo.
Now, 230 days since the last match, the Six Nations is BACK...
Postpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 24 October 2020
So... Where were we?!
Image source, Getty Images