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...

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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 16:07 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

77 mins: TRY! It gets worse for Italy. Stander boots it down the pitch and the bounce is horrible, looping over the head of the hapless Mbanda and straight into the grateful arms of Craig Gilroy. He cuts inside, and jogs the remaining 45 metres to score his second try. 

[11 February 2017 16:08 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

78 mins: Once again, Paddy Jackson's conversion kick is successful. Ireland lead 56-10.

[11 February 2017 16:12 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

80 mins: TRY! Craig Gilroy has a hat-trick! An undignified end for Italy, but what a superb moment for Gilroy, who has scored what must rank as one of the quickest hat-tricks in Six Nations history. Once again, Stander deserves credit for making up the yards, leading to Jackson flinging a wonderfully flighted pass out wide to Gilroy, who was able to run the ball into the corner under little pressure.

Ireland's ninth try. Italy's ninth successive Six Nations defeat. 

[11 February 2017 16:12 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

81 mins: And it's nine from nine for Paddy Jackson. Ireland win the game 63-10. Ouch.

[11 February 2017 16:13 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

FULL-TIME: Italy 10 Ireland 63

Ireland breezed past Italy in Rome 

[11 February 2017 16:17 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Another great couple of stats from Stuart Farmer, the Official Statistician for the 6 Nations, British & Irish Lions, Premiership, PRO12 and Leicester Tigers. A rather busy man then.

[11 February 2017 16:19 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Jamie Heaslip is talking to ITV, and is being very complimentary of Italy:

I think the final score put a nice shine on it as we got a lot of lucky bounces. But we were a lot more clinical.

We took a lot of positives from the second-half of last week, and we're pleased to get the right outcome today.

Everyone on that field is a competitor and so we're delighted with the score - Italy really challenged us at times. Now we can recuperate, recover and get ready for the next battle. 

That victory is Ireland's biggest ever Six Nations win. 

[11 February 2017 16:22 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Some full-time stats:

Tries: Italy 1, Ireland 9

Metres: Italy 220, Ireland 632

Carries: Italy 107, Ireland 168

Defenders beaten: Italy 9, Ireland 37

Clean breaks: Italy 1, Ireland 13

Passes: Italy 123, Ireland 240

Turnovers conceded: Italy 13, Ireland 13

This is also the first time since 1914 (1914!) that a team had two players score a hat-trick in a Championship game.

[11 February 2017 16:43 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Match report: CJ Stander and Craig Gilroy both score hat-tricks as Ireland get their 6 Nations campaign back on track with a thumping win in Rome

Thanks very much for joining us, and click here for live coverage of England's clash with Wales at the Principality Stadium.