Ireland vs Italy LIVE: Women’s Six Nations result and final score as hosts get off the mark with first win

Follow the action from the round 3 clash at Musgrave Park

(Getty Images)

Ireland Women kick-started their Six Nations campaign with a comfortable 29-8 victory over Italy in Cork. Greg McWilliams’ side, who led 10-3 at half-time, scored four tries at Musgrave Park through Lucy Mulhall, Neve Jones, Eve Higgins and replacement Katie O’Dwyer and were awarded a second-half penalty try.

Hooker Melissa Bettoni went over for Italy’s late consolation try, but Ireland’s first win after defeats to Wales and France was never in doubt.

Beatrice Rigoni’s penalty gave Italy an early lead, but Ireland ran in an outstanding try in the 25th minute, with fly-half Nicole Cronin delivering the final pass out wide for full-back Mulhall to score. Ireland went over for a deserved second try before the interval through hooker Jones and although both tries went unconverted, the Irish made a flying start to the second half.

Centre Higgins gathered scrum-half Kathryn Dane’s kick ahead to race over and Cronin converted to put the home side 17-3 ahead. Ireland moved further ahead when awarded a penalty try in the 52nd minute as Italy were penalised at a five-metre scrum and after Bettoni went over for the visitors, O’Dwyer gathered from a line-out to score the game’s final try.

Ireland vs Italy

• Kick-off is at 5pm at Mulgrave Park
• Match is live on BBC iPlayer in the UK
• Both teams looking for first win of 2022 Women’s Six Nations
• Ireland make four changes as Dane starts at scrum-half

[10 April 2022 18:40 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 24-3 Italy, 68 mins

Ireland set off on another attack but the visitors’ defence wins out this time but forcing a breakdown penalty and they get to clear their lines.

But hang on there’s a TMO review for a dangerous clean out, will there be a card here?

[10 April 2022 18:38 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 24-3 Italy, 67 mins

Magatti makes a good break from their own 22 and she passes to Rigoni. The usually impressive player knocks on and so Ireland get the scrum in a good position.

There’s a break in play as Cronin receives some attention.

[10 April 2022 18:36 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 24-3 Italy, 66 mins

A strange call from Ireland’s coaches as Murphy Crowe comes off for Breen. She has had such a good match and it seems odd to take her off at this stage.

And again Flood pops a kick in, every time she touches the ball she kicks away at the moment in a clever play Italy can’t deal with. It rolls off just metres out from their line and Ireland will look to disrupt the line-out.

They don’t but Italy are forced to dot down in the goal line. A goal line drop out for Barratin.

Djougang is off for Pearse.

[10 April 2022 18:32 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 24-3 Italy, 63 mins

Another line-out goes awry with Bettoni’s effort not straight.

And there’s more changes for IReland ahead of another crum as Jones and Janey comes off for Hooban and O’Dwyer.

Ireland set off in attack with Flood kicking through once again. Minuzzi attempts to collect but she hits it out of play. Italy need to read that play, it’s one the back keeps bringing into action.

Ireland then get a penalty as Barratin tackles Dane at the back of the scrum.

[10 April 2022 18:29 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 24-3 Italy, 60 mins

A dummy throw at the line-out for Jones sees Italy get the ball back and they opt for a scrum.

The line-outs on both sides haven’t been funtioning too well with the wind playing its part.

Italy do come away with it but Furlan then knocks on. It’s a rusty game for the Italian captain.

Hogan, Wafer, Doyle are on for Ireland and Fryday, Wall and Parsons come off. Wafer is winning her first cap.

[10 April 2022 18:26 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 24-3 Italy, 57 mins

Possession is exchanging hands here with Italu currently with the ball.

Monaghan is having a good game, she is a star who works away in the background but her work rate is immense!

Rigoni decides to kick through after a frustrating few phases but it goes out of play.

[10 April 2022 18:23 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 24-3 Italy, 55 mins

Italy make another change with Frangipani on for Locatelli.

The visitors are on the front foot and are seeking their first try of the match and first since the Six Nations.

But they spill the ball and Ireland quell the threat well. Italy don’t look like the team they were last year.

[10 April 2022 18:20 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 24-3 Italy, 53 mins

I’m surprised Maris, who was the offender at the scrum for that penalty try, hasn’t been shown yellow.

Fryday is receiving some medical attention now with a break of play.

[10 April 2022 18:18 · Sarah Rendell]

PENALTY TRY! Ireland 24-3 Italy, 50

How are Italy not reading this play? Flood kicks through again and Rigoni runs back to touch down in the goal area.

Another penalty at the scrum for Italy sees a penalty scrum for the hosts! A bonus-point for Ireland.

[10 April 2022 18:16 · Sarah Rendell]

Ireland 17-3 Italy, 49 mins

Furlan does well to collect the ball from a Flood kick through but Murphy Crowe’s covering tackle sees Ireland wrestle the ball back.

There’s a break in play as players take on water and some receive some attention.