Italy 20 – 34 Ireland

James Ryan, Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen (two) score Ireland tries as they secured a Six Nations bonus-point win to remain on for Grand Slam; Ross Byrne kicked seven points in absence of Johnny Sexton; Stephen Varney, Pierre Bruno score tries for Azzurri

Ireland remain on course for a 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam, but made heavy weather of a 34-20 Round 3 victory over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. 

The visitors scored five tries through James Ryan, Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen (two), while also having a further two ruled out for knock-ons, but they regularly allowed Italy back into a contest they appeared in control of.

Italy scored two tries through scrum-half Stephen Varney and wing Pierre Bruno, while Paolo Garbisi landed both conversions and two penalties off the tee on his return to the side from injury.

Andy Farrell, who made six changes to his starting side, will be far from delighted with the way his charges managed the Test, however, even in victory.

More to follow…

What’s next?

After next weekend’s second fallow week in the Six Nations, Ireland travel to face Scotland in Edinburgh at Murrayfield in Round 4 on Sunday, March 12 (3pm kick-off GMT).

Italy are next in action on Saturday, March 11 (2.15pm kick-off GMT), as they welcome Wales to the Stadio Olimpico for their Round 4 clash.