Round one of the Six Nations: England struggle as Ireland makes a statement
Wales face England vitally Six Nations conflict after the most turbulent week.
Cardiff roar will be key as Red Rose, Warren Gatland and Wales enter the Principality Stadium to pile even more suffering on the rugby crisis.
The strike was averted at the last momentGatland will need to spark some cheer on the pitch. Big loss to Scotland last time.
England Running under Steve Borthwick after brushing Italy at Twickenhambut this hostile atmosphere may yet reveal the character of a work in progress.
Follow below for all the action from Cardiff following the conclusion of Italy v Ireland:
Italy 20-27 Ireland, 68 minutes
Was this Italy’s chance? The home team’s shoulders appear to droop slightly as they kick the ball in their own half.
Another Irish score would probably kill him. They will feed the attack halfway through.
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:55
Italy 20-27 Ireland, 67 minutes
Frustration cries from the Italian crowd – it looks like your chance has been slain!
Great to start, it’s a delightful inside ball that takes new man Giovanni Pettinelli into space.
There’s an overlap, and it looks like fast hands will likely lead to a certain score, but instead the option is to cross over – and Federico Ruzza is horrified as he tries in vain to chase him, the log not fast enough from the lock foot to land before he touches it.
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:53
Italy 20-27 Ireland, 66 minutes
Conor Murray is replaced by Craig Casey, while Andrew Porter is replaced by Dave Kilcoyne.
Italy is playing fast and loose, as it has been doing all afternoon. Ireland knocked down a faulty Italian pass.
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:51
PUNISHMENT! Italy 20-27 IRELAND (Ross Byrne penalty, 65 minutes)
35 meters away, dead spot – simple, straight and right.
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:49
Italy 20-24 Ireland, 64 minutes
Penalty to Ireland. Johnny Sexton doesn’t look too pleased alongside Garry Ringrose in the luxury seats, but his backup Ross Byrne will have the opportunity to extend the visitors’ lead from the tee.
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:48
Italy 20-24 Ireland, 60 minutes
Italy continues to struggle, returning in enough numbers to neutralize a kick from Ireland that seemed to bother them. A high kick is handled equally well.
Michele Lamaro was at the center of another impressive Italy performance.
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:47
Italy 20-24 Ireland, 60 minutes
Italy will definitely not die wondering! Off, they throw a caution (and ball) into the wind with a wide pass from behind their line.
There seems to be almost no room for Juan Ignacio Brex to land a cleanup as the Irish defensive line approaches, but the center is doing a great job and finding contact halfway through.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 February 2023 15:45
NO TRIAL! Italy 20-24 Ireland, 59 minutes
No try – Bundee Aki lost control on the ground!
All looked good for Ireland as Aki stood up to cross the last two yards of the line, but fell to his knees with a low interception, center briefly losing control. TMO has three or four more looks at it to be sure, but it’s pretty obvious – one hit, no try and an Italian delay.
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:43
To try? Italy 20-24 Ireland
Sharp handling within wide limits and Bundee Aki takes his second shot!
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:41
Italy 20-24 Ireland, 57 minutes
This is very similar to the Italy-France match so far – hoping to avoid the kind of tense finish that Fabien Galthie’s side has endured, Andy Farrell sends in his concealers: Dan Sheehan and Peter O’Mahony arrive to bolster the pack.
Sheehan makes her first line-up.
Harry Latham-CoyleFebruary 25, 2023 15:40