Hat-tricks from Stander, Gilroy power Ireland to 10-63 win over Italy

Italy 10-63 Ireland, Stadio Olimpico
Scorecard

Ireland have brought their Six Nations campaign back on track following a 10-63 bonus point win over Italy at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

CJ Stander and replacement Craig Gilroy amassed three tries each for the visitors as they came with a nine-try performance to hand Italy their second defeat in the tournament. This was also Ireland's biggest margin win in Six Nations as their previous best of 60-13 also came against the same opponent in 2000.

Ireland skipper Rory Best was withdrawn from the game after he failed to recover from a stomach bug and was replaced by debutant Niall Scannell.

Following a series of early attack, wing Keith Earls got Ireland off the mark with a 11th minute after he was aided by a long pass from Paddy Jackson, who later added the extras. In the process he also became the third Irish player to score tries in four successive Tests.

Even though Italy fought back with a penalty from their fly-half Carlo Canna, wing Simon Zebo was instrumental in setting two tries - one each for Stander and Earls in the 17th and 25th minute respectively.

Ireland suffered a minor setback when Donnacha Ryan was sin-binned in the 31st minute and to make things worse, Italy was awarded a penalty try allowing Canna with the extras. However, Stander crossed over for the second time before half-time to take Ireland to 10-28 lead.

The second half saw Stander touching down his third try in the 46th minute while a poor clearance from Giovanbattista Venditti saw replacement Gilroy score his first touchdown in the 67th minute.

The onslaught from Ireland continued as centre Garry Ringrose punished Italy further with a 71st minute try following which Gilroy danced past the post twice in the last five minutes to complete a 53-point win for the visitors.