Ireland edged Italy 20-13 at the Aviva Stadium to register their first win of the Guinness Six Nations, with decisive second-half adjustments and standout performances from several forwards and replacements.
Ireland rallied to beat italy 20-13 at the Aviva Stadium, turning around a half-time deficit to claim their first victory of this Six Nations campaign. A quieter, error-strewn opening 40 minutes gave way to a much sharper Ireland after the break, where timely substitutions and steadier kicking ultimately swung the game.
Italy led 10-5 at the interval, thanks to accurate early kicking and a well-worked maul that produced their try. Ireland replied with a neat centre-to-support score but left points on the board with a pair of missed conversions, keeping the contest within reach.
The second half began brightly for the visitors, but Ireland struck early with a powerful close-range effort to level the scores. Fifteen minutes in, the introduction of a replacement fly-half changed the complexion of the match: his routing of play, improved box kicks and composed goal-kicking gave Ireland the territorial control they had lacked in the first half.
That combination allowed the home side to manage the clock and the scoreboard while squeezing Italy’s attacking platform.
Jack Conan’s second-half try was a defining moment, swinging momentum firmly back to Ireland. Up front, figures such as James Ryan and Conan himself set a physical tone throughout, helping the hosts dominate phases and secure crucial ruck turnovers. A late intercept then extinguished any lingering Italian hope of a comeback.
Italy’s set-piece and contact work showed real progress — their scrum and disciplined kicking created problems — but they could not find the finishing touch in the closing stages. For Ireland, the result is a confidence-boosting win that underlines the value of a strong bench and better game management; for Italy, the narrow loss offers encouraging signs but raises questions about closing out phases under pressure.
Coaches from both sides will pore over the tape, particularly around early-game execution and late-phase finishing. For supporters at the Aviva, the final whistle brought relief for the hosts and a sense that this Six Nations still has plenty of intrigue to come.
