Dan Sheehan's hat-trick keeps Ireland's Six Nations hope alive

Italy 17-22 Ireland, Rome

Ireland maintained their faint hopes of winning the Guinness Six Nations title with a hard-fought victory over Italy in Rome, where Dan Sheehan’s hat-trick proved decisive.

The win, which secured a crucial bonus point, momentarily pushed Ireland to the top of the standings with 19 points. However, their fate remained uncertain, as both France and England had the chance to overtake them later in the day.

Despite not being at their best, Ireland managed to overcome a sluggish start and a spirited Italian side that played a significant portion of the match with 14 men.

“Needing a bonus-point victory to apply pressure on Championship favourites France and fellow contenders England, Ireland overcame a slow start to score four tries and secure a 16th straight win against the Azzurri.”

Italy stunned the visitors early on when Monty Ioane finished off a superb attacking move, with Tommaso Menoncello’s break and Paolo Garbisi’s precise kick setting up the score. Tommaso Allan converted to give Italy a 7-0 lead.

Ireland responded when Hugo Keenan surged over the line after a well-worked scrum play, before Sheehan scored his first try from a rolling maul just before halftime. “A driving maul shoved the Azzurri back over their own line and Sheehan dotted it down.” Ireland went into the break with a narrow 12-10 lead.

The second half saw Ireland increase their intensity, and Sheehan grabbed his second try in similar fashion, benefiting from another powerful rolling maul.

Italy’s woes were compounded when Ross Vintcent received a yellow card for a high tackle, later upgraded to a red, leaving the hosts at a numerical disadvantage.

“The biggest cheer for the day was reserved for the introduction of replacement Ireland flanker O’Mahony in his last of 114 caps, while scrum-half Murray joined him for cap No.126 in the second half as Ireland piled on the pressure.”

Sheehan completed his hat-trick following a brilliant cross-field kick from Jamison Gibson-Park, which Mack Hansen batted down into his path.

Crowley’s struggles with conversions meant Ireland’s lead remained within reach, and Italy capitalized with a well-taken try by Stephen Varney after Ange Capuozzo’s clever chip. With just five points separating the sides, Italy pushed hard in the final moments, but a costly knock-on by Garbisi ended their hopes of an upset.

Ireland’s win, though unconvincing, ensured they remained in the title hunt as they awaited results from the remaining matches. Their performance may not have been flawless, but Sheehan’s clinical finishing proved to be the difference on a tense afternoon in Rome.

Italy: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex (capt), Menoncello, Ioane; Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari; Lamb, Ruzza; Negri, Zuliani, L Cannone.

Reserves: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Lamaro, Vintcent, Varney, Marin.

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham; Ryan, Beirne; Conan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Reserves: G McCarthy, Boyle, Furlong, J McCarthy, O'Mahony, Murray, Prendergast, Aki.