Summary

  • 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

  1. Postpublished at 14:20 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy 0-0 Ireland

    It's a neat line out and Martin Page-Relo tried sprinting down the blindside.

    He almost got away but dipped a foot in touch, so Ireland now have the throw.

  2. Postpublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy 0-0 Ireland

    We're getting in the mood for Wimbledon with plenty of kick tennis.

    This one is long from Italy and Hugo Keenan calls for the mark, and he sends it into touch just before halfway.

    Paolo Garbisi kicks the ballImage source, Getty Images
  3. Postpublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy 0-0 Ireland

    Ireland send it clear again and it's as you were with Italy having the ball on the halfway line.

  4. Postpublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy 0-0 Ireland

    Caelan Doris almost snatches it in midfield but Italy keep hold of the ball.

    Their forwards are doing a lot of the work so far.

    It's then pumped into the air, which is gathered by Mack Hansen before he's hit by the chasing men in blue.

  5. Postpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy 0-0 Ireland

    Ireland gather the kick-off and Jamison Gibson-Park thumps it clear with his first touch.

    Italy will have the line-out just inside their own half.

  6. Kick-offpublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy 0-0 Ireland

    Off we go in Rome!

    The first of three huge games today, let's be having you!

  7. Postpublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Here's a reminder of your teams this afternoon. Remember, Ireland must win to keep their title hopes alive.

    The other games will look after themselves, but Ireland can only do what they can do.

    Italy: 15-Allan, 14-Capuozzo, 13-Brex (capt), 12-Menoncello, 11-Ioane, 10-P Garbisi, 9-Page-Relo; 1-Fischetti, 2-Lucchesi, 3-Ferrari, 4-Lamb, 5-Ruzza, 6-Negri, 7-Zuliani, 8-L Cannone

    Replacements: 16-Nicotera, 17-Spagnolo, 18-Zilocchi, 19-N Cannone, 20-Lamaro, 21-Vintcent, 22-Varney, 23-Marin

    Ireland: 15-Keenan, 14- Hansen, 13-Ringrose, 12-Henshaw, 11-Lowe, 10-Crowley, J 9-Gibson-Park; 1-Porter, 2-Sheehan, 3-Bealham, 4-Ryan, 5-Beirne, 6-Conan, 7-Van der Flier, 8-Doris (capt).

    Replacements: 16-G McCarthy, 17-Boyle, 18-Furlong, 19-J McCarthy, 20-O'Mahony, 21-Murray, 22-S Prendergast, 23-Aki

  8. Postpublished at 14:14 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Excellent, as expected from the Italians.

    That's set the tone nicely.

    Kick-off is moments away in Rome.

  9. Postpublished at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    That was loud and proud for the final Six Nations.

    Peter O'Mahony had his eyes shut throughout, holding back the tears. Plenty of emotion from the big man.

    Over to you, Italy. I have a feeling this will be good.

  10. 'This is the last opportunity to put your best foot forward'published at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Brian O'Driscoll
    Former Ireland captain on ITV1

    We haven't talked about Lions prospects so much but it's coming into focus.

    For any of those 50/50 calls, this is the last opportunity to put your best foot forward.

    For the likes of Garry Ringrose, it's very important.

  11. Postpublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    It's time for the anthems.

    First up, it's Ireland's Call.

    I have a feeling the cameras will be focusing on Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony here.

  12. 'Likelihood isn't great' for Irish title - Keenanpublished at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Hugo KeenanImage source, Inpho

    How likely is the title for Ireland? Not very, according to full back Hugo Keenan.

    No longer in control of their own destiny after last weekend's loss to France in Dublin, Keenan is hoping Ireland can at least put the pressure on England and Les Bleus in the final day's later kick-offs.

    We're just looking after what we can control," said the 28-year-old.

    "Likelihood isn't great [for a title win] but we want to know that we have no regrets, that we've done all we can and gotten the performance that we're chasing.

    "Hopefully there'll be some nervous watching."

  13. Postpublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Here come the teams in Rome.

    Caelan Doris and Ignacio Brex lead them out into a cauldron of noise.

  14. BBC coveragepublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    BBC Sounds

    You can listen to today's game on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and on BBC Sounds.

    Former Ireland and Ulster back row Chris Henry is on commentary at the Stadio Olimpico with Jim Neilly.

    Presenter Gavin Andrews is joined by former Ireland internationals Jonny Bell and Claire Small.

  15. 'A fast start is going to be really important'published at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby speaking on RTE: "It was disappointing what went on in Dublin last week but we feel we've another opportunity to put a performance in and hopefully that performance will allow us to get the right result today.

    "I think we just need to make sure we put scoreboard pressure on top of field position and territory pressure. We didn't do that last week and gave France an opportunity to go down the other end and score themselves.

    "A fast start, making sure we capitalise on our possession and territory, today is going to be really important."

    Simon EasterbyImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how that back row can play'published at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Rory Best
    Former Ireland captain on ITV1

    The big one [for Ireland] is how do they get Jack Conan and Caelan Doris playing together.

    They normally do it the other way round with Doris at six and Conan at eight and it doesn't seem to work, we don't see the best of Doris.

    This time they've gone the other way around and I'm looking forward to seeing how that back row can play today.

  17. Postpublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Matt Gault
    BBC Sport NI at Stadio Olimpico

    The sheer number of Ireland fans inside Stadio Olimpico really is quite startling - and there were huge roars as Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray's names were read out a few minutes ago.

    Green everywhere you look. It's like being back at Stade de France during the 2023 World Cup.

  18. Zebo praises 'glittering careers' of Ireland's retiring triopublished at 13:59 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Six Nations Rugby Special's Simon Zebo praises the "glittering careers" of Ireland retirees Conor Murray, Cian Healy and Peter O'Mahony before their final game.

  19. A final farewellpublished at 13:57 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Conor MurrayImage source, Inpho

    It will be the end of an era as Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy wave goodbye to Ireland after today's game.

    O'Mahony and Murray are set to appear off the bench for the final time in Rome later.

    Healy hasn't been included in the squad, but had a try-scoring cameo off the bench in Dublin as his way to say goodbye.

    Three of the greats.

  20. Postpublished at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March

    Italy v Ireland (14:15 GMT)

    Ireland fan with Irish gladitorial hatImage source, Getty Images

    Must be Gladiator III auditions on today.

    Let's hope we're entertained this afternoon.

    Ireland fans in RomeImage source, Getty Images