Ireland thrash Italy in Six Nations rout

03/30/2025 01:58 PM

MATCH REPORT: Ireland claimed their first victory over Italy since 2022 with a 54-12 win at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma in the 2025 Six Nations.

The game ignited from the outset as Italy's Valeria Fedrighi was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on an Irish player (yellow card remained at a yellow following an off-field bunker review).

Ireland wasted no time capitalising on their numerical advantage, kicking to the corner and setting up a dominant attacking platform.

A well-executed driving maul, followed by powerful carries from the forwards, created space out wide for Aoife Dalton to power over from 10 metres out.

Dannah O'Brien nailed the touchline conversion, giving Ireland an early 7-0 lead.

Ireland's momentum continued just minutes later. Eve Higgins carved through the heart of the Italian defence with a surging 30-metre break before delivering a perfectly timed pass to Anna McGann, who coasted in untouched under the posts.

O'Brien added the extras, stretching Ireland's lead to 14-0 inside the opening eight minutes.

However, the Azzurri responded in style. A dominant scrum provided the perfect platform, and scrumhalf Sofia Stefan produced a moment of individual brilliance, weaving through the Irish defence to score Italy's first try.

Michela Sillari's conversion attempt hit the upright, but the home crowd roared their approval as the scoreline moved to 5-14.

Ireland had wasted no time in responding, and Higgins had been at the heart of it again.

Spotting a gap in the Italian defence, she burst through at pace before teeing up winger Amee-Leigh Costigan, who showed her speed to race past the last defender and finish in style.

O'Brien was flawless from the tee once more, extending Ireland's lead to 16 points.

Ireland had sealed the bonus point in the 24th minute with another display of clinical execution.

Some slick handling sent McGann diving over in the corner for her second try of the match—and Ireland's fourth.

O'Brien, flawless from the tee, added the extras with another superb kick from out wide.

With the first half drawing to a close, Italy mounted a promising attack, but the Irish defence held firm with a relentless defensive set that thwarted the Azzurri's efforts.

Ireland entered the break in complete control, leading by 23 points.

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It was Ireland who struck first in the second half (53rd minute).

Following a powerful driving maul that was halted just short, prop Linda Djougang powered over from close range for the try.

O'Brien was flawless once again with the boot, adding the extras to push Ireland 30 points ahead of the Azzurri in Parma.

Shortly after Djougang added her name to the scoresheet, she became the next player to face a bunker review, after she received a yellow card for a high tackle (yellow card remained at a yellow following an off-field bunker review).

The tries kept flowing for Ireland, even with a player down. A superb offload from Emily Lane put Dorothy Wall into space, and she powered through three Italian defenders to cross for Ireland's sixth try.

O'Brien's conversion attempt sailed wide, leaving the score at Italy 5-40 Ireland.

Italy's Beatrice Rigoni, scored her sides first of the second-half with a clever piece of play which had the referee and her assistants stumped for a moment.

Rigoni converted her own try to take the score to 12-40.

Ireland centre Aoife Dalton was named Player of the Match after a standout performance, excelling in both attack and defence.

She made over seven carries, racking up more than 40 metres, and also put in a relentless defensive shift, completing over 15 tackles.

But Ireland weren't finished yet. As the clock ticked down towards the final minutes, Brittany Hogan surged over from the back of the scrum following a free-kick, with O'Brien once again adding the extras.

With the clock in the red, Ireland pounced on the loose ball. Some good handling saw McGann collect the ball, running in untouched down the wing for her hat-trick.

O'Brien converted to take the final score to 12-54.

Ireland secured a commanding and crucial victory in Parma, a first win on the road since 2021, bouncing back from their narrow round-one defeat to France in impressive fashion.

Scorers

For Italy:
Tries: Rigoni, Stefan
Cons: Rigoni

For Ireland:
Tries: Dalton, Djougang, Wall, Hogan, Costigan, McGann 3
Cons: O'Brien 7

Teams

Italy: 15 Francesca Granzotto, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13. Michela Sillari, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Alyssa D'inca, 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Sofia Stefan, 8 Elisa Giordano, 7. Francesca Scorbini, 6. Sara Tounesi, 5 Giordana Duc, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 3 Gaia Maris, 2 Vittoria Vecchin, 1 Silvia Turani
Replacements: 16 Laura Gurioli, 17 Vittoria Zanette, 18 Sara Seye, 19 Beatrice Veronese, 20 Alissa Ranuccini, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Sara Mannini, 23 Beatrice Capomaggi

Ireland: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Anna McGann, 13 Aoife Dalton, 12 Eve Higgins, 11 Amee-Leigh Costigan, 10 Dannah O'Brien, 9 Aoibheann Reilly, 8 Aoife Wafer, 7 Erin King, 6 Edel McMahon, 5 Fiona Tuite, 4 Ruth Campbell, 3 Linda Djougang, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Niamh O'Dowd.
Replacements: 16 Cliodhna Moloney, 17 Siobhan McCarthy, 18 Christy Haney, 19 Grace Moore, 20 Dorothy Wall, 21 Brittany Hogan, 22 Emily Lane, 23 Enya Breen.

Referee: Ella Goldsmith
Assistant referees: Precious Pazani, Shanda Assmus
TMO: Aaron Paterson

Source: @Sixnationsrugby