Ireland squeeze past Italy to stay in Six Nations title hunt

Dan Sheehan's hat-trick helped Ireland to a bonus-point win over Italy in the Six Nations (Filippo MONTEFORTE)

Ireland remained in the Six Nations title hunt with a thrilling 22-17 win over Italy which moved Simon Easterby's team top of the championship.

Dan Sheehan scored a hat-trick of tries as the Irish got the bonus-point victory they needed to go three points clear of favourites France.

However, they still need results to go their way later on Saturday in order to secure a third straight tournament crown.

Ireland had to come through a tough clash with battling Italy who played a huge chunk of the match with fewer men on the field due to Michele Lamaro and Giacomo Nicotera both being yellow carded and Ross Vintcent's red card for a reckless tackle on Ireland's other try scorer Hugo Keenan.

Ireland now have to wait for the results of third-placed England's clash with Wales in Cardiff and above all what happens between France, who started the day two points ahead of the Irish, and Scotland in the late match in Paris.

Italy will again rue the ill-discipline which has so often cost them in the Six Nations and could leave them holding the wooden spoon even though they collected a defensive bonus point.

Gonzalo Quesada's side remain fifth, two points above bottom side Wales who will avoid finishing last with a win over England.

The hosts were the better team in the opening period but went in behind at the break in large part due to Lamaro's yellow card and giving away a scrum which led to Sheehan putting the away side ahead with Ireland's second try of the game.

Up to that point Italy were leading thanks to Monty Ioane's converted score and a Tommaso Allan penalty but Vintcent's awful challenge led to a classic wobble from the Italians who were kept in the game by Ireland failing to convert three of their four tries.

Substitute Stephen Varney made sure it would be a tense finale when he touched down after Ange Capuozzo chased down a long kick and forced an Irish handling error, but Ireland held out for what could yet be a championship-deciding win.

td/dj

Topics

Ireland overcomes Italy 22-17 in Rome to keep alive Six Nations title hopes

Ireland kept alive its Six Nations title hopes by overcoming Italy 22-17 at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. The scrappy bonus-point win ensured France and England had to win their later matches ...
Yahoo Sports - 7h
Ireland 'trying a bit too hard' in Italy win - Easterby

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby feels his side were "trying to force things" in their Six Nations win over Italy.
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Ireland's title hopes end despite bonus-point win in Italy

Ireland's reign as Six Nations champions ends despite a bonus-point win over Italy as England hammer Wales.
BBC News - 5h
Seven-try England maintain Six Nations title hopes with emphatic win over Italy

England 47-24 Italy Sleightholme scores two tries in bonus-point win Six weeks ago England would definitely have settled for their current position, still mathematically in the hunt for the Six ...
The Guardian - 6d
Ireland beat Italy to keep faint title hopes alive

Ireland hold off a spirited Italy to secure a bonus-point win in Rome and keep alive their faint hopes of winning a third consecutive Six Nations.
Yahoo Sports - 7h
Ireland eye unlikely Six Nations title against uncertain Italy

Ireland have a glimmer of hope that they can retain their Six Nations crown on Saturday when they take on Italy in Rome, looking to bounce back from a painful defeat to title favourites France.But ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Italy 17-22 Ireland: Six Nations 2025 – live reaction

Champions get scrappy win at Stadio Olimpico Get in touch: you can mail Alex with your comments 1 min: Italy win their first lineout and look to test the visiting defence early on, but cede ...
The Guardian - 7h
Six Nations: Italy v Ireland - radio & text

Follow BBC radio commentary and live text coverage as Italy take on Ireland in the final round of the Six Nations.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
Ireland and England must avoid Six Nations trap to set up thrilling finale

France, England and Ireland are all in the title hunt on ‘Super Saturday’ – get ready for a rollercoaster ride
Yahoo Sports - 1d