Ireland edged out Italy 22-17 in a tightly contested Six Nations Rugby Championship match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The victory was thanks in large part to a hat-trick of tries from Dan Sheehan, which proved crucial in securing the win.
Sheehan’s three tries were complemented by a conversion and penalty from fly-half Johnny Sexton, as Ireland struggled to shake off a determined Italian side. Italy’s tries came from Tommaso Menoncello and Simone Gesi, with fly-half Tommaso Allan adding two conversions and a penalty.
The match was marked by a strong defensive performance from Italy, who managed to limit Ireland’s attacking opportunities. However, Sheehan’s tries proved to be the difference-maker, as Ireland secured a narrow victory.
The win keeps Ireland’s slim title hopes alive, although they remain outsiders for the championship. Italy, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the table, still searching for their first win of the tournament.
Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, praised his team’s determination and resilience in securing the win. “It was a tough match, but we showed great character to come out on top,” he said. “Dan Sheehan was outstanding, and his tries were the difference-maker.”
Italy’s head coach, Kieran Crowley, was proud of his team’s performance, despite the loss. “We showed great heart and determination, and we can take a lot of positives from this match,” he said.
The result sets up an intriguing final round of matches, with Ireland facing off against England and Italy taking on Wales.