Ireland v Italy LIVE: Six Nations 2024 score and result as hosts secure comfortable second win
Ireland 36-0 Italy: Ireland’s bid for back-to-back grand slams continues with a one-sided victory over the Azzurri
Ireland continued their pursuit of back-to-back Six Nations grand slams as they swept aside Italy in Dublin.
A much-changed home side retained plenty of its usual fluency, with Jack Crowley again pulling the strings impressively from fly half in a 36-0 win, crossing for his first try in senior rugby to lead the hosts to a 17th straight Aviva Stadium victory.
Consecutive bonus points victories leave Andy Farrell’s men top of the table after two rounds, two points clear of England, while an outstanding defensive display meant Ireland kept an opponent scoreless in this competition for the first time since 1987.
For Italy, it was a disappointing follow-up to an encouraging start against England, a flat performance leaving Gonzalo Quesada to lament his side’s set-piece struggles and lack of intensity in defence as the Azzurri failed to trouble the scores.
Re-live all the action from Ireland vs Italy below, and get the latest Six Nations odds and tips here:
Missed penalty! Ireland 0-0 Italy, 5 minutes
There’s a bit of a breeze in Dublin, and Paolo Garbisi tries to drive his effort through it, but doesn’t quite get the strike right, low and away to the left. Garbisi, of course, is taking over kicking duties from Tommaso Allan, who didn’t train fully this week so starts on the bench.
Ireland 0-0 Italy, 3 minutes
Some intriguing early shapes from Italy, working out the back a couple of times and threatening the edges, though two loose passes allow Ireland to reset. Robbie Henshaw makes muck at a ruck, and Irish hands pounce on the loose ball, but Henshaw’s actions are deemed illegal by referee Luke Pearce - hands on the floor before he counter-rucked. A fair call from Pearce, and Paolo Garbisi will line up a shot at goal.
Ireland 0-0 Italy, 2 minutes
Craig Casey’s first box kick is a steepler, taken well in the Italian backfield but the catcher swarmed immediately. Stephen Varney is equally proficient with the boot as he kicks away slow ball. Tidy start from both teams.
Until then! That’s rather less good from Casey, hooking his next attempted contestable some distance into touch. A wave of apology and Italy can attack from deep in the Irish half.
Ireland 0-0 Italy, 1 minute
Ireland play through the hands immediately, but then clear, James Lowe transferring to Jack Crowley, who has time to launch long.
Crowley opts not to find touch, and Italy will run it back. Neat hands from Monty Ioane and Tommaso Menoncello find Lorenzo Pani, but the right wing is short of space and has to chip ahead. Ireland sweep it up just outside their own 22.
KICK OFF!
Luke Pearce blows his whistle, Paolo Garbisi drops boot to ball, and we are underway in Dublin!
Ireland vs Italy
Right, it’s time to get down to business. Game three of round two is upon us - it’s time for kick off in Dublin.
Ireland vs Italy
The Aviva Stadium gathers together in a moment of applause to remember the great Syd Millar, one of the defining rugby figures behind the scenes of the last half-century. Both teams are then introduced to Michael D Higgins, the Irish president typically cheery as he gladhands along the red matting.
Anthem time - Michele Lamaro looks fired up, positively barking out Il Canto degli Italiani with gusto. Ireland’s players provide suitable accompaniment to their anthems, Ireland’s Call sung by young Stevie Mulrooney, who wowed viewers with this rendition on Irish TV over Christmas. A lovely moment for the lad in front of a packed Aviva.
Ireland vs Italy
Out the two sides come into the Dublin sunshine, Caelan Doris all smiles as he introduces himself to the matchday mascots, who are from the O’Driscoll family. A proud moment for the 25-year-old - perhaps in pole position to succeed Peter O’Mahony when, or if, the flanker steps away from the international stage - as he leads Ireland out for the first time.
Ireland vs Italy
The back row battle feels key today. Italy lacked jackal threat against England, struggling to slow down their ball, but Manuel Zuliani is excellent in that regard, and Michele Lamaro was back nearer his best last weekend as a defensive workhorse. Ireland tend to resource their rucks superbly, with captain Caelan Doris setting the tone, but they’ll have to be watchful throughout.
The third man in that Italy trio is Alessandro Izekor, who has had a fine season in an impressive Benetton side. You fancy they’ll miss the carrying potency that the forthright Seb Negri and athletic Lorenzo Cannone provide, but it’s a group that still has plenty to like about it.
Ireland vs Italy: The pre-match thoughts of the coaches
A smiling Andy Farrell says: “We’ve been honest with ourselves in how we get better. It’s been a thorough week, a tough old week to be honest because we are desperate to keep improving. [I want those coming in to] be the best version of themselves for the team and back themselves when they put the green shirt on.”
Gonzalo Quesada has also been collared for a chat by ITV. “I don’t know which game could be harder than this in the northern hemisphere,” the Italy head coach says. “Ireland and France are the two teams that have dominated the Six Nations in the last few years. There are a lot of things that are not ideal but I’m super excited to be here. Doing better than last week is the main goal.
“We have to be more consistent. Our discipline will be the key, we can’t let them get into the game and go into those moments when they get confident and start dominating you. I hope we are going to have better ball this afternoon and hopefully we can put more pressure on Ireland than we did England.”
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