Good afternoon and welcome to our liveblog for this delayed round four fixture of the 2020 Six Nations championship between Ireland and Italy.
With two games remaining in the campaign, Ireland still have a chance of winning the tournament, either by posting two bonus point victories against Italy today and then France next Saturday, or else by edging England out on points difference.
In any case, they are big favourites to win today, having lost just once to the Italians in this championship since they came into the tournament, 20 years ago.
Kick-off is at 3.30pm, so get settled in.
24 Oct 2020
2:50PM
While the temptation will be there for Ireland to be risk-takers from the start, veterans of this fixture have cautioned against doing so. Here’s Rob Kearney from his interview with The42 earlier today. “The secret to beating Italy comprehensively is when you play to the full 80 minutes,” said Kearney. “This perception that if you start brightly then you can wipe them away – look that never happens. It always takes 50, 60 minutes before you finally start to break them down. The longer you allow them into a game, the more belief they will get.
“So it will be tougher without a crowd for us, too – because that kind of thing always favours the underdogs, home advantage has kind of been taken away from us to an extent.”
And this is what John Hayes had to say about the Irish game-plan on Thursday. “Look, it’s exciting times,” said the Bull, “because you can just imagine the excitement with all those new young players getting their first caps, they’re going to bring a new enthusiasm. Hopefully they will hit the ground running.
“But it won’t be easy. You don’t want to start chasing it from the off, but they definitely will go after a big scoreline at some stage because they know they have to.”
Here are the teams.
Ireland:
15. Jacob Stockdale
14. Andrew Conway
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. Hugo Keenan
10. Johnny Sexton (captain)
9. Conor Murray
1. Cian Healy
2. Rob Herring
3. Andrew Porter
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan
6. Caelan Doris
7. Will Connors
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ed Byrne
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Peter O’Mahony
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Ross Byrne
23. Robbie Henshaw
Our man, Murray Kinsella, will be reporting from the Aviva this afternoon, giving you his expert opinion in his post-match report before conducting interviews with the Ireland coach and players afterwards.
There are six changes to the Ireland side that last played in February, losing 24-12 to England. A lot of focus will be on Hugo Keenan who makes his Test debut on the wing. He has already been active in the pre-match warm up.
Hugo Keenan practices his catching during the warm up. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
24 Oct 2020
3:22PM
Under 10 minutes to go now …
Teams heading back in at a supporter-less Aviva Stadium.
Ireland 7-3 Italy Great moment for the Ireland front-row, Cian Healy winning a scrum penalty
24 Oct 2020
3:46PM
Ireland 10-3 Italy Penalty for Ireland, Sexton kicking it, a good reaction to Murray’s sin-binning
24 Oct 2020
3:47PM
Great clearing kick by Sexton
Ireland 10-3 Italy
24 Oct 2020
3:49PM
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Healy steals possession, Doris carries it into the Italy 22 but from a good attacking opportunity, Johnny Sexton spills possession. In the meantime, Conor Murray is back on the field
24 Oct 2020
3:53PM
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Bundee Aki harshly penalised for an illegal tackle. Italy kick for territory, play moving into the Ireland 22
Italy lose possession when Danilo Fischetti goes off his feet, decent work by Will Connors
Here is the image of CJ Stander’s try, Irleand’s opening score of the game.
Stander scores Ireland's opening try. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
24 Oct 2020
3:57PM
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Carlo Canna does superbly well to rob possession off Bundee Aki, winning a penalty for the Italians, who win the subsequent line-out but then cough up possession, when Andrew Porter retrieves the ball
24 Oct 2020
3:59PM
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Good defending from Italy forces Ringrose to chip to touch, Beirne steals line-out, Ireland win subsequent penalty, which Sexton kicks to the corner. Good attacking opportunity for Ireland
24 Oct 2020
4:00PM
But Ireland lose the ball in contact, Edoardo Padovani hoofs the ball downfield
24 Oct 2020
4:01PM
Ireland 10-3 Italy, 27 minutes
Garry Ringrose receiving attention for what appears to be a shoulder injury, Henshaw is stripped and ready to come in
24 Oct 2020
4:03PM
Ireland 10-3 Italy, 29 minutes
So it was a knee to the chin which forced Ringrose off – not the shoulder injury as earlier reported. He is off the field for a HIA. Ireland, meanwhile, have won a penalty and Sexton is kicking to the corner
24 Oct 2020
4:04PM
TRY IRELAND
Ireland 15-3 Italy
Ryan collects the line-out; maul formed, deep inside the Italy 22, ball whipped out to Hugo Keenan who marks his debut with a try
24 Oct 2020
4:06PM
Ireland 17-3 Italy
Sexton adds the conversion, a brilliant kick from the touchline – but a further word has to go to Keenan for his finish. He showed great footwork and strength to hold off two Italians before scoring
24 Oct 2020
4:07PM
TRY IRELAND – Hugo Keenan, 22-3
24 Oct 2020
4:08PM
Ireland 17-3 Italy, 32 minutes
Hugo Keenan’s second try is being checked by the TMO
24 Oct 2020
4:10PM
Ireland 17-3 Italy
Try disallowed as James Ryan impedes Marco Lazzaroni as the Italian lock tried to tackle Jacob Stockdale as he counter-attacked – so Keenan’s second try gets wiped out. Italy now on the charge in the Ireland 22
24 Oct 2020
4:13PM
Ireland 22-3 Italy, 35 minutes
Ireland’s defence holding firm as Italy creep forward in the 22.
Then super counter-attack sees Murray kick to corner, Keenan collect and score
24 Oct 2020
4:15PM
Ireland 24-3 Italy
Sexton with the conversion – a superb kick ….
Keenan’s try was equally impressive, credit Murray for his kick, Doris for retrieving possession initially, Aki for his involvement and Keenan for his pace and then coolness under pressure to score
24 Oct 2020
4:17PM
Ireland 24-3 Italy, 39 minutes
Stockdale is moving quicker than gossip through a small town ….. looking really threatening from full-back
24 Oct 2020
4:18PM
So here is a quick recap. This is Stander’s opening try
Two tries from Hugo Keenan on his debut, another from CJ Stander and a superb display from Will Connors has turned that half into a brilliant one from Andy Farrell’s perspective. Impressive at the breakdown – especially Doris, Connor and Andrew Porter – Ireland are also looking dangerous in open play. Jacob Stockdale looking sharp while Keenan’s finishing – he also had a try disallowed – has more than justified his selection
Second half underway, Ireland 24-3 ahead, and they need to think about putting up a serious score because if Ireland win both games, with one bonus point, the title will be decided by points difference.
Getting a bonus point in Paris will be seriously difficult – whereas getting a really big score against Italy from this point, is definitely within their grasp.
They need to set England a huge target when Eddie Jones’ side go to Rome next Saturday.
24 Oct 2020
4:37PM
Ireland 24-3 Italy, 41 minutes … scrum to Italy after Andrew Conway knocks on at half-way. Henshaw still on for Ringrose who did pass his HIA but has not returned to the field
Dave Heffernan coming on for Ireland to win his second cap. Rob Herring put in a decent shift.
Penalty Italy, they go to the corner.
Hugo Keenan the 8th player to score 2 tries on debut, joins Joxer Arigho (1928),Bertie O'Hanlon (1947),Girvan Dempsey (1998),Geordan Murphy(2000), Guy Easterby(2000), John Kelly(2002), Dave Kearney (2013). Only Seamus Byrne, v Scotland in 1953, ever scored a hat-trick on debut
Another penalty to Italy, Cian Healy penalised for coming in from the side. Italians go to the corner again. Each team have conceded seven penalties thus far.
Try Italy. Sexton picked off by Edoardo Padovani. Conversion added.
Ireland not playing well in second half although Will Connors is having a superb debut.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
24 Oct 2020
4:55PM
Ireland 24-10 Italy, 56 minutes
Ed Byrne is on to make his international debut
24 Oct 2020
4:58PM
Ireland 24-10 Italy, 59 minutes
James Ryan receiving attention for a shoulder injury – just as Ireland win a penalty and kick to the corner
24 Oct 2020
5:00PM
Ireland 29-10 Italy, 60 minutes
Another penalty to Ireland, another kick to the corner. Doris gathers, Connors scores on his debut – great maul
24 Oct 2020
5:00PM
TRY IRELAND
Will Connors, 29-10 now
24 Oct 2020
5:05PM
TRY Ireland 36-10 Italy, 65 minutes
So Will Connors try caps off a superb debut, Sexton kicks the conversion, Ireland have a bonus point and Sexton adds on another try a few minutes later.
And they really need to start adding points if they are to have any chance of winning this championship on points differential.
England have a points differential of plus 15, Ireland’s is currently plus 31. Easy to see England putting up a big score against Italy; not so easy to see Ireland getting a bonus point victory in Paris
24 Oct 2020
5:06PM
IRELAND 36-10 ITALY, 67 minutes
Sexton misses the conversion, every points counts here in the race to the championship.
24 Oct 2020
5:07PM
Jamison Gibson Park is on for Murray to make his Test debut
Sexton adds the conversion; the earlier try from Aki owed so much to Peter O’Mahony – who had just come on to replace Caelan Doris. O’Mahony’s pass left Aki with a race to the line. He won that race. Ireland looking for more points here.
Ireland on the attack – but Italy secure a penalty at the breakdown.
Will Connors scores his try on debut. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
24 Oct 2020
5:17PM
Ireland 43-10 Italy, 77 minutes
Will Connors is named man of the match, 18 tackles, nine carries and one try
24 Oct 2020
5:19PM
Ireland win a penalty off a counter ruck, Byrne kicks to the corner, 90 seconds left
24 Oct 2020
5:20PM
Into the last minute, Ireland 43-10 clear, line-out five metres from the Italian line
24 Oct 2020
5:20PM
TRY IRELAND
24 Oct 2020
5:21PM
Dave Heffernan with the try, first game for Ireland in four years, Ross Byrne with conversion, Ireland have reached the half century – Ireland have one last chance to get more points 50-10
24 Oct 2020
5:22PM
FULL-TIME Ireland 50-17 Italy
Ireland concede last minute try.
24 Oct 2020
5:23PM
That last minute score for Italy could come back to haunt Ireland next week.
24 Oct 2020
5:26PM
Ireland 50-17 Italy
Seven tries for Ireland and a bonus point victory – their points difference is now plus 38, England’s is plus 15.
If Ireland beat France with a bonus point next week then they are champions, irrespective of what happens between England and Italy in Rome.
Otherwise, to win the championship, Ireland need to have a better scoring difference than England, who almost certainly will defeat the Italians by a sizeable score.
That last minute try that Ireland conceded today could come back to haunt them next Saturday.
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As it happened: Ireland v Italy, Six Nations
LAST UPDATE | 24 Oct 2020
Good afternoon and welcome to our liveblog for this delayed round four fixture of the 2020 Six Nations championship between Ireland and Italy.
With two games remaining in the campaign, Ireland still have a chance of winning the tournament, either by posting two bonus point victories against Italy today and then France next Saturday, or else by edging England out on points difference.
In any case, they are big favourites to win today, having lost just once to the Italians in this championship since they came into the tournament, 20 years ago.
Kick-off is at 3.30pm, so get settled in.
While the temptation will be there for Ireland to be risk-takers from the start, veterans of this fixture have cautioned against doing so. Here’s Rob Kearney from his interview with The42 earlier today. “The secret to beating Italy comprehensively is when you play to the full 80 minutes,” said Kearney. “This perception that if you start brightly then you can wipe them away – look that never happens. It always takes 50, 60 minutes before you finally start to break them down. The longer you allow them into a game, the more belief they will get.
“So it will be tougher without a crowd for us, too – because that kind of thing always favours the underdogs, home advantage has kind of been taken away from us to an extent.”
And this is what John Hayes had to say about the Irish game-plan on Thursday. “Look, it’s exciting times,” said the Bull, “because you can just imagine the excitement with all those new young players getting their first caps, they’re going to bring a new enthusiasm. Hopefully they will hit the ground running.
“But it won’t be easy. You don’t want to start chasing it from the off, but they definitely will go after a big scoreline at some stage because they know they have to.”
Here are the teams.
Ireland:
15. Jacob Stockdale
14. Andrew Conway
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. Hugo Keenan
10. Johnny Sexton (captain)
9. Conor Murray
1. Cian Healy
2. Rob Herring
3. Andrew Porter
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan
6. Caelan Doris
7. Will Connors
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ed Byrne
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Peter O’Mahony
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Ross Byrne
23. Robbie Henshaw
Italy:
15. Jayden Hayward
14. Edoardo Padovani
13. Luca Morisi
12. Carlo Canna
11. Mattia Bellini
10. Paolo Garbisi
9. Marcello Violi
1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Luca Bigi (captain)
3. Giosue Zilocchi
4. Marco Lazzaroni
5. Niccolo Cannone
6. Sebastian Negri
7. Abraham Steyn
8. Jake Polledri
Replacements:
16. Gianmarco Lucchesi
17. Simone Ferrari
18. Pietro Ceccarelli
19. David Sisi
20. Johan Meyer
21. Maxime Mbanda
22. Callum Braley
23. Federico Mori
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU).
Here is Ireland coach Andy Farrell in conversation with Sinead Kissane from Virgin Media.
Our man, Murray Kinsella, will be reporting from the Aviva this afternoon, giving you his expert opinion in his post-match report before conducting interviews with the Ireland coach and players afterwards.
Just over 20 minutes to go now …
There are six changes to the Ireland side that last played in February, losing 24-12 to England. A lot of focus will be on Hugo Keenan who makes his Test debut on the wing. He has already been active in the pre-match warm up.
Under 10 minutes to go now …
Anthem time …..
And we are off
Two early tests for Jacob Stockdale and Andrew Conway under the high ball. Both deal with the questions easily enough.
Yellow card for Conor Murray, Ireland down to 14 men.
Penalty for Italy, Sebastian Negri with a great break to set up the field position, Murray penalised, Paolo Garbisi with the kick
Ireland 0-3 Italy
Penalty for Ireland, Sexton is going for the corner
TRY Ireland 5- 3 Italy Ireland drive off the line-out, camp on the Italian line and get across via CJ Stander, his 11th try for Ireland
IRELAND 7-3 ITALY - Sexton with the conversion
Garry Ringrose has gone to scrum half as Murray sits out the ten minutes in the bin.
Ireland 7-3 Italy Great moment for the Ireland front-row, Cian Healy winning a scrum penalty
Ireland 10-3 Italy Penalty for Ireland, Sexton kicking it, a good reaction to Murray’s sin-binning
Great clearing kick by Sexton
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Healy steals possession, Doris carries it into the Italy 22 but from a good attacking opportunity, Johnny Sexton spills possession. In the meantime, Conor Murray is back on the field
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Bundee Aki harshly penalised for an illegal tackle. Italy kick for territory, play moving into the Ireland 22
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Italy lose possession when Danilo Fischetti goes off his feet, decent work by Will Connors
Here is the image of CJ Stander’s try, Irleand’s opening score of the game.
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Carlo Canna does superbly well to rob possession off Bundee Aki, winning a penalty for the Italians, who win the subsequent line-out but then cough up possession, when Andrew Porter retrieves the ball
Ireland 10-3 Italy
Good defending from Italy forces Ringrose to chip to touch, Beirne steals line-out, Ireland win subsequent penalty, which Sexton kicks to the corner. Good attacking opportunity for Ireland
But Ireland lose the ball in contact, Edoardo Padovani hoofs the ball downfield
Ireland 10-3 Italy, 27 minutes
Garry Ringrose receiving attention for what appears to be a shoulder injury, Henshaw is stripped and ready to come in
Ireland 10-3 Italy, 29 minutes
So it was a knee to the chin which forced Ringrose off – not the shoulder injury as earlier reported. He is off the field for a HIA. Ireland, meanwhile, have won a penalty and Sexton is kicking to the corner
TRY IRELAND
Ireland 15-3 Italy
Ryan collects the line-out; maul formed, deep inside the Italy 22, ball whipped out to Hugo Keenan who marks his debut with a try
Ireland 17-3 Italy
Sexton adds the conversion, a brilliant kick from the touchline – but a further word has to go to Keenan for his finish. He showed great footwork and strength to hold off two Italians before scoring
TRY IRELAND – Hugo Keenan, 22-3
Ireland 17-3 Italy, 32 minutes
Hugo Keenan’s second try is being checked by the TMO
Ireland 17-3 Italy
Try disallowed as James Ryan impedes Marco Lazzaroni as the Italian lock tried to tackle Jacob Stockdale as he counter-attacked – so Keenan’s second try gets wiped out. Italy now on the charge in the Ireland 22
Ireland 22-3 Italy, 35 minutes
Ireland’s defence holding firm as Italy creep forward in the 22.
Then super counter-attack sees Murray kick to corner, Keenan collect and score
Ireland 24-3 Italy
Sexton with the conversion – a superb kick ….
Keenan’s try was equally impressive, credit Murray for his kick, Doris for retrieving possession initially, Aki for his involvement and Keenan for his pace and then coolness under pressure to score
Ireland 24-3 Italy, 39 minutes
Stockdale is moving quicker than gossip through a small town ….. looking really threatening from full-back
So here is a quick recap. This is Stander’s opening try
HALF TIME IRELAND 24-3 ITALY
Two tries from Hugo Keenan on his debut, another from CJ Stander and a superb display from Will Connors has turned that half into a brilliant one from Andy Farrell’s perspective. Impressive at the breakdown – especially Doris, Connor and Andrew Porter – Ireland are also looking dangerous in open play. Jacob Stockdale looking sharp while Keenan’s finishing – he also had a try disallowed – has more than justified his selection
Ireland 24-3 Italy, half-time
This picture will soon be hanging on the Keenan wall – as he celebrates his first international try.
Half-time, Ireland 24-3 Italy
Ireland in absolute control; dominant at the breakdown; no box-kicking, great counter-attacking and this boy having an absolute dream of a debut.
Tweet of the day ….. well, so far
Second half underway, Ireland 24-3 ahead, and they need to think about putting up a serious score because if Ireland win both games, with one bonus point, the title will be decided by points difference.
Getting a bonus point in Paris will be seriously difficult – whereas getting a really big score against Italy from this point, is definitely within their grasp.
They need to set England a huge target when Eddie Jones’ side go to Rome next Saturday.
Ireland 24-3 Italy, 41 minutes … scrum to Italy after Andrew Conway knocks on at half-way. Henshaw still on for Ringrose who did pass his HIA but has not returned to the field
Ireland 24-3 Italy, 44 minutes
Great kick from Sexton puts the Italians on the back-foot. Tadhg Beirne back on his feet after receiving treatment for a shoulder injury.
Ireland 24-3 Italy
Brilliant take from Hugo Keenan under the high ball. Italy about to make four changes, replacing their entire front row
Ireland 24-3 Italy, 48 minutes
Scrappy second half so far, Ireland need to get points on the board and secure that bonus point.
Here is Keenan’s second try, Ireland’s third of the day.
Ireland 24-3 Italy, 51 minutes
Dave Heffernan coming on for Ireland to win his second cap. Rob Herring put in a decent shift.
Penalty Italy, they go to the corner.
Ireland 24-3 Italy, 52 minutes
Another penalty to Italy, Cian Healy penalised for coming in from the side. Italians go to the corner again. Each team have conceded seven penalties thus far.
Ireland 24-12 Italy, 55 minutes
Try Italy. Sexton picked off by Edoardo Padovani. Conversion added.
Ireland not playing well in second half although Will Connors is having a superb debut.
Ireland 24-10 Italy, 56 minutes
Ed Byrne is on to make his international debut
Ireland 24-10 Italy, 59 minutes
James Ryan receiving attention for a shoulder injury – just as Ireland win a penalty and kick to the corner
Ireland 29-10 Italy, 60 minutes
Another penalty to Ireland, another kick to the corner. Doris gathers, Connors scores on his debut – great maul
TRY IRELAND
Will Connors, 29-10 now
TRY Ireland 36-10 Italy, 65 minutes
So Will Connors try caps off a superb debut, Sexton kicks the conversion, Ireland have a bonus point and Sexton adds on another try a few minutes later.
And they really need to start adding points if they are to have any chance of winning this championship on points differential.
England have a points differential of plus 15, Ireland’s is currently plus 31. Easy to see England putting up a big score against Italy; not so easy to see Ireland getting a bonus point victory in Paris
IRELAND 36-10 ITALY, 67 minutes
Sexton misses the conversion, every points counts here in the race to the championship.
Jamison Gibson Park is on for Murray to make his Test debut
TRY IRELAND BUNDEE AKI, 69 MINUTES, Ireland 41-10 Italy
Ireland 43-10 Italy, 69 minutes
Sexton adds the conversion; the earlier try from Aki owed so much to Peter O’Mahony – who had just come on to replace Caelan Doris. O’Mahony’s pass left Aki with a race to the line. He won that race. Ireland looking for more points here.
Sexton has gone off; Ross Byrne on
Ireland 43-10 Italy, 76 minutes
Ireland on the attack – but Italy secure a penalty at the breakdown.
Ireland 43-10 Italy, 77 minutes
Will Connors is named man of the match, 18 tackles, nine carries and one try
Ireland win a penalty off a counter ruck, Byrne kicks to the corner, 90 seconds left
Into the last minute, Ireland 43-10 clear, line-out five metres from the Italian line
TRY IRELAND
Dave Heffernan with the try, first game for Ireland in four years, Ross Byrne with conversion, Ireland have reached the half century – Ireland have one last chance to get more points 50-10
FULL-TIME Ireland 50-17 Italy
Ireland concede last minute try.
That last minute score for Italy could come back to haunt Ireland next week.
Ireland 50-17 Italy
Seven tries for Ireland and a bonus point victory – their points difference is now plus 38, England’s is plus 15.
If Ireland beat France with a bonus point next week then they are champions, irrespective of what happens between England and Italy in Rome.
Otherwise, to win the championship, Ireland need to have a better scoring difference than England, who almost certainly will defeat the Italians by a sizeable score.
That last minute try that Ireland conceded today could come back to haunt them next Saturday.
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