Italy vs Ireland Six Nations as it happened: CJ Stander and Craig Gilroy star in easy nine-try victory

Ireland made light work of a limited Italy at the Stadio Olimpico

Ireland take on Italy with both teams looking for their first win of the Six Nations (Getty Images)

Ireland bounced back from their opening day defeat to Scotland by annihilating Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, running in nine tries as both CJ Stander and second-half substitute Craig Gilroy scored hat-tricks.

Italy were awarded a penalty try in the first-half, but had absolutely no answer to Ireland in the second, as they conceded five tries without reply.

Relive the live action below...

Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

Preview...

Italy and Ireland will hope to get off the mark when they meet in Roma after both teams made losing starts to the Six Nations championship , though Joe Schmidt’s side head to Italy as heavy favourites for the encounter.

Ireland suffered something of an upset in the Six Nations curtain-raiser last weekend as they left Scotland on the wrong end of a 27-22 result at Murrayfield. Having entered the championship as second favourites behind England, the Irish saw their Grand Slam hopes end just 80 minutes into the tournament, and are now required to win all four of their remaining matches if they are to have any chance of winning the championship.

Italy meanwhile were leading Wales at half-time in Rome, only to concede 30 unanswered points after the break to suffer a disappointing 33-7 loss to Wales.

The Italians last beat Ireland 22-15 in the 2013 Six Nations , and will hope to repeat the feat if they are to capitalise on their home advantage this year, having already seen one of their three chances to win at the Stadio Olimpico go begging last week.

Here’s everything you need to know about the match.

When is it?

Italy vs Ireland kicks off at 14:25 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on ITV from 13:30, with highlights on ITV from 22:20. You can also follow the match with The Independent’s live blog here.

Past three meetings...

Ireland 58 Italy 15, Six Nations, March 2016.

Ireland 16 Italy, Rugby World Cup, October 2015.

Italy 3 Ireland 26, Six Nations, February 2015.

Form...

Italy: LWLWLL

Ireland: LWWLWL

Odds...

Italy to win: 23/2

Wales to win: 1/25

Draw: Half-odds

(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

[11 February 2017 14:23 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

And that's the anthems done. Now let us all pray that the match is half as entertaining as the U20 fixture between the two teams, which Ireland won by the narrowest of margins:

[11 February 2017 14:27 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

1 minute: Here we go! Italy's Carlo Canna gets us underway, with a long punt downfield which Simon Zebo gathers cleanly. 

[11 February 2017 14:28 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

2 mins: A good start from Ireland as Sean O'Brien drives forward powerfully. They shift it wide and probe down the wing, but Italy's line-speed is very encouraging and a green shirt knocks it on. Early scrum to Italy.

[11 February 2017 14:29 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

3 mins: A big moment this, two very good scrums looking to put the early marker down. But it's Ireland who get the shove on -  Cian Healy doing well on the loosehead side - and they win the penalty. Jackson boots it into the corner. 

[11 February 2017 14:30 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

4 mins: Scannel's throw is good. Ireland emerge with the ball and Murray attempts a cute little grubber from just within the Italian 22m, but it doesn't quite come off, and the left boot of Luke McLean clears.

[11 February 2017 14:32 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

5 mins: Wonderful feet from Zebo! Italy kick long and Zebo collects before beautifully sidestepping around Parisse. He's eventually hauled down and it's another scrum as the ball moved forward.

[11 February 2017 14:34 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

7 mins: Brilliant work from the tenacious Conor Murray. Italy's scrum stands strong but Murray snaps at Canna as he went to collect the ball, and her forces an error. Irish scrum, just inside the Italian 22m line.

They win the second scrum and Murray emerges with the ball, but once again the ball is knocked forward in the tackle. It's another scrum to Ireland, around 10m from the try-line. 

[11 February 2017 14:36 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

9 mins: Murray pops the ball to Stander whose muscular drive carries Ireland right to the brink of the try-line. They pick up an advantage for an offside ... and the referee eventually awards the penalty after the ball is held up inches from the try-line. 

Good ambition from Ireland: they elect for another scrum. 

[11 February 2017 14:37 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

10 mins: Here comes the shove ... Italy's defence is already under significant pressure, but Murray decides to swing a pass out wide, giving the backs a chance to break the deadlock. They make up the inches before giving the ball back to Stander, but the Italian defence is standing firm at present... 

[11 February 2017 14:39 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

11 mins: NO TRY! So unlucky Simon Zebo! Ireland go wide and the winger dives for the corner, pirouetting around a last-gasp Italian tackle, but the TMO rules he dropped the ball. It's going to be another Ireland scrum, as we go back for an Italian offside.