Ireland secured their first Guinness Six Nations victory of the season when they claimed their 35th Test match victory against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Playing their 771st Test match, and their 39th with Italy since the nations first met at Lansdowne Road on December 31, 1988, Andy Farrell’s side held on to win at home.
On a historic day for rugby, Scottish referee Hollie Davidson became the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations match.
In a rather disappointing first half from an Irish point of view, the hosts found themselves trailing after 40 minutes.
An early Irish opportunity was spurned when Dan Sheehan attempted to leap over the Italian defense from a standing start. The Italians stood up, as if expecting this move, and kicked the Irish whore to the ground.
Lynagh sent to the trash
Italian winger Louis Lynagh, son of Australian rugby legend Michael, was shown a yellow card for what referee Hollie Davidson deemed a deliberate hit. The Scottish official consulted the TMO and, looking at the screen, immediately made the decision to sin the Italian number 14.
A number of unforced errors from Ireland saw the home side lose possession in the first quarter, much to the frustration of the fans in the stands.
On the positive side, dangerous and efficient runs from James Lowe on one wing and Robert Baloucoune on the other helped Ireland progress up the field.
Osborne Try
It took 17 minutes of play before either try line was crossed. Ireland, with a man advantage, made the most of their numerical superiority, with fullback Jamie Osborne given the easy task of landing with the Italian defensive line stretched.
Sam Prendergast missed the ensuing conversion attempt. Although positioned just to the left of the posts, the kick went wrong and saw his effort drift harmlessly to the left of the posts.
𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐄 𝐎𝐒𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄!
Ireland strikes first at the Aviva!
Ireland 5-0 Italy#REvITA | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/sIvCo6hLRp
–Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 14, 2026
Penalty
The Italian quickly reduced the gap thanks to Paolo Garbisi who scored a penalty attempt. At this stage, the Italians had to be content with being just two points behind the Irish, despite losing a man for ten minutes.
Yellow card for Craig Casey
In the 32nd minute, Craig Casey received a yellow card for foul play. With the Munster player remaining standing during the tackle, he was found guilty of dangerous play and Ireland were reduced to 14 men.
The Italians immediately made the home team pay for their yellow card. Winning a lineout, the Azzurri pushed Ireland back over their own defensive line, and Stade Français hooker Giacomo Nicotera dove over the line for a try.
Paolo Garbisi maintained his 100% kicking record on the day, landing his second kick of the afternoon.
Half time: Ireland 5 Italy 10
Ireland started the second half with a strong pace. Tadhg Furlong replaced Tom Clarkson in green. Soon Andy Farrell made more changes as the new players immediately had an effect all over the pitch.
Conan’s try at the start of the second half
As the Irish won the lineout, Ireland moved towards the Italian line. With Caelan Doris and Jack Conan at the back of the maul, number 8 touched down for the first score of the second half.
Unfortunately for Ireland, Sam Prendergast missed the kick at the posts again – his second miss of the match at this stage.
𝐖𝐄’𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋!
Good start to the second half
Ireland 5-10 Italy#REvITA | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/RwzlEpZQXI
–Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 14, 2026
Baloucoune attempts his debut at the Six Nations Tournament
Rob Baloucoune, later named Man of the Match, restored the hosts’ lead heading into the final quarter. The Ulster winger, with passing options, showed plenty of confidence on his Six Nations debut, as he ran and then stretched towards the line.
𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐓 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐄!
What a way to start your Six Nations debut!
Ireland 17-10 Italy#REvITA | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/iUqZt9rbyi
–Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 14, 2026
With Jack Crowley now playing at 10, the Munster man kicked the ensuing conversion attempt and Andy Farrell’s men took a 17-10 lead.
Crowley quickly made it a two-point game by dissecting the posts with his first penalty attempt of the game. In a makeshift match, Italy were next to score, as Garbisi scored his second penalty of the match.
In the final minutes of the match, Italy camped on the Irish line until a relieving interception from James Lowe reduced the pressure on the Irish defense.
Lowe’s old-fashioned pace was evident as he raced down the pitch, giving Ireland one last chance to secure a bonus-point try, as the clock ticked well past 80 minutes.
Jack Crowley, aiming for the touchline, misjudged his kick which went too far and ended the match abruptly, giving Ireland their first Guinness Six Nations victory of the 2026 season.
Final score: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Ireland team
15. Jamie Osborne, 14 years old. Robert Baloucoune, 13 years old. Garry Ringrose, 12 years old. Stuart McCloskey, 11 years old. James Lowe, 10 years old. Sam Prendergast, 9 years old. Craig Casey.
- 1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Thomas Clarkson, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Cormac Izuchukwu, 7. Caelan Doris (captain), 8. Jack Conan.
Replacements in Ireland:
16. Ronan Kelleher, 17 years old. Tom O’Toole, 18 years old. Tadhg Furlong, 19 years old. Edwin Edogbo, 20 years old. Tadhg Beirne, 21 years old. Nick Timoney, 22 years old. Jamison Gibson-Park, 23 years old. Jack Crowley.
Italian team
15. Lorenzo Pani, 14. Louis Lynagh, 13. Leonardo Marin, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Alessandro Fusco.
1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone Ferrari, 4. Niccolo Cannone, 5. Andrea Zambonin, 6. Michele Lamaro (captain), 7. Manuel Zuliani, 8. Lorenzo Cannone.
Italy Substitutions
16. Tommaso di Bartolomeo, 17. Mirco Spagnolo, 18. Muhamed Hasa, 19. Federico Ruzza, 20. Riccardo Favretto, 21. David Odiase, 22. Alessandro Garbisi, 23. Paolo Odogwu.
Arbitrator: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
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