Italy 17-22 Ireland (Result)
Ireland keep title hopes alive with bonus-point win in Rome, need results elsewhere to go their way
Dan Sheehan scores hat-trick for Ireland with Hugo Keenan also crossing
Hosts had taken lead in 12th minute through Monty Ioane try
Michele Lamaro and Giacomo Nicotera yellow carded for Italy; Ross Vintcent shown 20-minute red
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Image source, Getty ImagesA word on Ireland's departing legends....
Cian Healy is Ireland's most-capped player and has won five Six Nations with Ireland (maybe even an unlikely sixth today) - including two Grand Slams.
He didn't get on the pitch today, but made a try-scoring farewell in the defeat by France last week.
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
One, two, three for Dan Sheehan.
Image source, Inpho
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Just on Dan Sheehan, only the electric Louis Bielle-Biarey has scored more tries than him in this championship.
His hat-trick today brought him up to five tries in this tournament, just two shy of Bielle-Biarey.
He's not just a maul machine, either. He scores tries from all sorts of situations.
What a player.
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan speaking on ITV 1: "Happy with five points, we probably needed a bit more points difference.
"I think they went after our breakdown quite well and we lacked accuracy, there was a lot of dropped balls.
"Fair play to Italy, I thought their gameplan worked well and they put us under pressure.
"We got five points and it's up to the other teams now."
On returning after his summer ACL injury: "I'm delighted to be back playing rugby in the big games like this.
"A big Saturday at the end of the Six Nations, to be here is great.
"It's great to be sharing the pitch with three legends of Irish Rugby and Irish sport in Pete [O'Mahony], Church [Cian Healy] and Mur [Conor Murray]."
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Sergio Parisse
Former Italy number eight on ITV
The result is flattering for Italy as [Jack] Crowley missed a few points.
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Irish players could hardly watch in the closing stages. I don't blame them one bit.
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Brian O'Driscoll
Former Ireland captain on ITV1
Was it a championship winning performance?: In a word, no.
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Stay tuned for reaction from the Irish camp, by the way.
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Chris Henry
Former Ulster & Ireland flanker on BBC Radio Ulster
Relief for Ireland and disappointment for Italy who were in it until the end.
Credit to Italy for their performance but Ireland just didn't look at the races today.
It is a strange feeling for the Irish fans because they've got the win, but it looked like they were coasting and that almost cost them against an impressive Italian side.
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
Here's a look at the standings with just two matches remaining.
Will France and England respond?
With the points difference, England just need a win, even without a bonus point, to finish above Ireland.
FT: Italy 17-22 Ireland
It wasn't entirely convincing, but Ireland are now back on top of the Six Nations table.
England can change all that if they can battle past Wales at 16:45 GMT, and then all eyes will be on Paris as France, who led the way heading into this weekend, host Scotland at 20:00 GMT.
That's a scrappy, scrappy win. But it's job done in Rome for Ireland.
Image source, Getty ImagesItaly 17-22 Ireland
Giacomo Nicotera is sent to the bin for a bunker review. It was a reckless hit on Peter O'Mahony, not on Jack Boyle as we origianlly thought.
That's sucked any Italian momentum out of this one.
Italy 17-22 Ireland
We're having one final visit to the TMO. Why not? He's been the busiest man in Rome today.
It's for a nasty clear out on O'Mahony by Giacomo Nicotera, who definitely made contact with the head of the retiring Irish legend.
Italy 17-22 Ireland
That was the chance.
Capuozzo almost works his magic and he races out on the wing. He tries to offload, but it's in to touch.
Ireland will have the throw.
Image source, Getty ImagesItaly 17-22 Ireland
Italy have it but are pushed back to halfway.
One. Minute. To. Play.
This is so tense.
Italy 17-22 Ireland
James Lowe somehow grabs the ball out of the air.
Italy were in a great position but have't been clinical in the 22.
We're into the final two minutes.
Italy 17-22 Ireland
There's more scrappy play and Italy have it in the Irish half!
Leonardo Marin fires into the 22 with a superb run.
Italy couldn't - or could they?!
Italy 17-22 Ireland
Ireland's momentum slams to a halt as Sam Prendergast's pass it overthrown and over the head of Gus McCarthy, who was on the wing.
Italy 17-22 Ireland
Chris Henry
Former Ulster & Ireland flanker on BBC Radio Ulster
Ireland looking nervous and I think the whole stadium is on the edge of their seats.
It has been so back-and-forth and there's a real sense that there might be a last-gasp attempt from this Italian team.
There's enough time left and Ireland need to contain them and be sensible about managing the last few minutes.
