Irish coach Scott Bemand will be delighted with his team's first-half display as the visitors run in four tries to take command in Parma.

He'll want more of the same on the restart while the Italians will be desperate to get back in the game in front of their home fans.

Wonderful defending again from Ireland in holding up Italy on the line as the half-time whistle sounds in Parma.

Ireland have been clinical in attack and solid defensively - they are on course for a first Six Nations away win since 2021 but there's plenty of time left for an Italian comeback.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Ireland's work in the contact area has been strong with Erin King, Aoife Wafer and Neve Jones all forcing turnovers early on.

The latter, though, will have been disappointed to lose possession forward almost immediately after her own strip of the ball with Italy scoring from the resulting scrum.

The hosts have shown already that they'll be dangerous in broken play.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Ireland were slow out of the blocks against France a week ago but could not ask for a better start out in Parma.

After three tries off the line-out a week ago, it's another starting from the set-piece to give them the lead, although they needed to show patience after the maul gained little traction.

Dannah O'Brien will take real heart from that sideline conversion too after the usually reliable kicker struggled off the tee in Belfast eight days ago.

Can they make more ground during the yellow-card period?

Italy go the attack and make ground before the move ends with a knock-on.

It's an early yellow card for Italy as Valeria Fedrighi is punished for a high tackle.

The hosts get us under way in a sun-kissed Parma.

Having to overcome two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the space of nine months would be enough to break the spirit of many sportspeople.

But in the case of Ireland scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly, she is determined to use her experience of those setbacks to help her navigate her future rugby career and give her further incentive.

After initially battling her way back from her first serious knee injury in the autumn of 2023, the 24-year-old suffered a second ACL tear in last summer's SVNS Grand Final in Madrid.

That means the Roscommon woman had to miss Ireland's Sevens challenge at the Paris Olympics but she returned to action off the bench in last weekend's Six Nations opener against France and will start today's contest in Parma.

Read more:

Image source, Inpho

Ireland's Erin King believes she is playing alongside some of the best back rows in the world during the Women's Six Nations.

King, 21, started her side's 27-15 defeat by France to kick off their campaign last weekend alongside Aoife Wafer and Brittany Hogan.

Wafer scored twice in another superb display, while Hogan was instrumental in some stout defensive stands.

"I'm so lucky to be among some of the best back rowers in the world. I think they're dragging me along," said King, who was named women's breakthrough player of the year at the World Rugby awards in November.

Read more:

Image source, Inpho

Ireland coach Scott Bemand says his players are mindful of the "incredible challenge" they will face in Sunday's Women's Six Nations game in Parma against an Italy side who defeated them in last year's championship.

The Irish looked in potential Wooden Spoon territory a year ago after they lost in 27-21 to the Italians in round two at the RDS.

Subsequent wins over Wales and Scotland secured a third-place championship finish that earned qualification for this year's World Cup but Bemand says he and his players have the height of respect for the Italians as they aim for Ireland's first away win in the competition since 2021.

"We're expecting a strong box-kicking game and we've been preparing ourselves for that," said the Ireland coach.

"Our aim, as ever, is to get our best game out there and if we do, we'll be alright but the Italians are certainly not going to roll over and make it easy for us."

Image source, Inpho

Edel McMahon will lead Ireland out in Sunday's Six Nations game against Italy as coach Scott Bemand makes three changes for the Parma encounter.

McMahon started on the bench in last weekend's 27-15 defeat by France in the opener but is named at blindside flanker in place of Brittany Hogan.

Aoibheann Reillycomes in at scrum-half for Emily Lane and Fiona Tuite takes over from Dorothy Wall in the second row.

Italy coach Fabio Roselli makes six changes from the opening defeat by England which include the return of number eight Elisa Giordano who will captain the side.

Centre Michela Sillari will undertake kicking duties after being recalled while Emma Stevanin takes over at fly-half after Veronica Madia picked up an injury against England.

A further backs change sees Francesca Granzotto starting at full-back in place of Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi.

Italy: Granzotto; Muzzo, Sillari, Rigoni, D'inca; Stevanin, Stefan; Turan, Vecchini, Maris; Federighi, Duca; Tounsei, Sgorbini, Giordano (capt).

Replacements: Gurioli, Zanette, Seye, Veronese, Ranuccini, Bitonci, Mannini, Capomaggi.

Ireland: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan; O'Brien, Reilly; O'Dowd, Jones, Djougang, Campbell, Tuite, McMahon (capt), King, Wafer.

Replacements: Moloney, McCarthy, Haney, Moore, Wall, Hogan, Lane, Breen

Image source, Inpho

After France's 38-15 win over Scotland was followed by England's 67-12 11-try demolition of Wales, Italy host Ireland in Parma this afternoon in what promises to be an intriguing contest which you can watch live on the BBC iPlayer, BBC Two NI and the BBC Sport website.

Ireland tested France in Belfast last weekend and Les Bleus' 27-15 victory margin probably flattered them somewhat.

Italy, meanwhile, were not disgraced when losing 38-5 to England in York a week ago and Ireland will need no reminding that they were humbled 27-21 in Dublin by the Italians a year ago.

Granted, Ireland have made significant progress from that round-two defeat last March as they regrouped to eventually finish third in the Six Nations - thereby achieving qualification for this year's World Cup - before going on to beat Australia and world champions New Zealand in the autumn.

Ireland haven't won away in the Six Nations since 2021 and victory this afternoon would be further evidence of a team seemingly on the up and up.

We look forward to you perusing our live text commentary in addition to watching the BBC broadcast coverage.

Image source, Inpho