Italy 17-22 Ireland: Dan Sheehan hat-trick propels Ireland to potentially vital bonus-point victory to keep slender Six Nations hopes alive

• Italy started the strongest but Ireland recovered to lead after a frantic first half
• Ireland secured their bonus point and survived a late scare to do the business
• They will now require England and France to lose to win the 2025 Six Nations 

By WILL CASTLE

Ireland have done what they needed to do if they have any hope of winning the 2025 Six Nations Championship as they overcame an amped-up Italy in Rome.

Italy started on the front foot and took a shock lead in stunning fashion, with Monty Ioane bursting onto the ball after brilliant play to touch down, before Tommaso Allan converted.

Ireland mounted a response and after Finlay Bealham’s initial score was ruled out by TMO, the visitors found a leveller – Hugo Keenan sprinting over for a converted try, set up by kicker Jack Crowley.

Italy regained the lead through an Allan penalty but then found themselves a man down on the brink of half-time as captain Michele Lamaro was sin-binned. 

The visitors aptly punished the Italians in clinical style, winning a line-out and rolling their maul towards the line before Dan Sheehan finished it off.

Sheehan doubled his tally after the interval and while Keenan had another try chalked off for a knock-on, it wouldn’t take long until they bagged their bonus point – Sheehan again to seal his hat-trick after Mack Hansen touched back Jamison Gibson-Park’s perfect kick into his grasp.

Monty Ioane opened the scoring for Italy as the hosts started on top against the title hopefuls

Ireland sought a quick response but saw their first score ruled out for a double movement

They eventually found a leveller through Hugo Keenan before Dan Sheehan gave them the lead

Sheehan added two more tries to his tally to bag a hat-trick on the tournament’s final day

Steven Varney dealt Ireland a late scare as a defensive error put Italy within five points

The visitors managed to survive to come out victors, with all eyes now on England and France

A defensive blunder gifted Italy a way back into the contest with 15 minutes to go as Stephen Varney touched down – a try that stemmed from the brilliant Ange Capuozzo. 

But Ireland were able to survive late pressure to secure the win, keeping their slender Championship hopes alive with England and France in action later today.

The Irish will require both England and France to suffer shock defeats to Wales and Scotland respectively if they are to emerge as unlikely champions. 

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Italy 17-22 Ireland: Dan Sheehan hat-trick propels Ireland to potentially vital bonus-point victory to keep slender Six Nations hopes alive

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