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You can follow our man on the ground, Rob Bartlett (@RobBartlettESPN), who'll be providing us with his insights straight from Dublin. His preview can be read HERE.
STARTING XV's
Ireland: Zebo, Trimble, Payne, Henshaw, Earls, Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best, Ford, Ryan, Toner, Stander, van der Flier, Heaslip.
Replacements: Cronin, Bealham, White, Dillane, Ruddock, Marmion, Madigan, McFadden.
Italy: Odiete, L. Sarto, Campagnaro, Garcia, Bellini, Padovani, Palazzini; Lovotti, Giazzon, Chistolini, Biagi, Fuser, Minto, Zanni, Parisse (captain).
Replacements: Fabiani, Zanusso, Ceccarelli, Geldenhuys, Steyn, Lucchese, Haimona, McLean.
Ireland and Italy go into the fourth round of the 2016 RBS 6 Nations as the only two teams without a win while Italy, look destined for the wooden spoon once again. For both nations, the face-off at the Aviva Stadium is all about regaining some pride.
Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the Six Nations clash between Ireland and Italy!
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And we're underway here at the Aviva stadium!
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First couples of minute = very little.
First line-out goes Italy's way along half way.
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| 3 |
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The lineout hasn't resulted in much apart from forcing a further lineout just a few metres further up, can they make something this one then...
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| 4 |
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Italy had a shout for a try there but ball carrier Mattia Bellini is deemed to have been in touch when he planted the ball down. Italy looking the more threatening so far and the Irish are currently on the back foot.
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| 5 |
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Scrum doesn't offer too much for the Italian's despite being inside the Irish 22. Sexton latches on to the loose ball and kicks up field to release pressure. Lineout Italy.
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| 6 |
5 - 0 |
Schmidt's side have forced themselves into the Italian half now, chance to pounce...
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| 7 |
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IRELAND TRY!
First opportunity, first try. Sarto tries a cheeky basketball-style pass back to his teammate but fluffs it into Irish hands. Easy couple of passes and Ireland have the first five points.
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| 9 |
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Earls vs. Palazzani sprinting race, chasing down Henshaw's long kick...!
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| 10 |
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Ireland turned defence into attack very quickly there, and just when Earls looks to be the favourite to slot home Ireland's second try, Palazzani just manages to get there first ahead of the centre!
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| 12 |
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Ireland bringing ball into battle, CJ Stander currently the standout performer from the pack. The home side have the ball in hand just out the Italy 22. Can they break it down?
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| 13 |
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Not yet. Gaps are opening for Italy as Henshaw tries another kick, but Palazzani again is there to save the day.
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| 14 |
12 - 0 |
IRELAND TRY!
Scrum works well for the Irish and after a couple of simple ball carries from the pack, McGrath is the man to guide the ball over the line. TMO is required, but nothing changes, Ireland have the extra five points.
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| 15 |
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Sexton makes it 1 out of 2 for his kicks.
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| 16 |
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Ireland have been pinned back in their own half, but some superb swift passing opens up the right flank for Earls to make a good 10 metre gain. Italy aren't playing very well at the minute.
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| 17 |
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Italy try their own version, and it's paid off so far, they've gone from their 22 to just outside the Irish 22 in about 30 seconds. Nice passing.
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| 18 |
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They've kicked it long now though, Ireland have the lineout from 5m in their own half.
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| 19 |
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| 20 |
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Italy still pushing, ball remains inside the Irish 22, just...
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| 21 |
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And now we're into the scrums again. Italy to feed.
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| 22 |
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Italy have the penalty and the chance for few points now after Ireland are penalised for hands in the ruck!
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12 - 3 |
Padovani - penalty goal
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| 24 |
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Ireland are pushing well, firmly in the Italian half and attacking with pace. Zebo the man with the ball here, can they make something of it...
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Ref's blown his whistle and Ireland have the penalty. Right in front of the sticks, about 35m out. Sexton wants this one, but looked for a moment that he was lining up the corner for a lineout opportunity...
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| 26 |
15 - 3 |
Nails it. 12 point advantage again!
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| 27 |
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The second row duo of Toner and Ryan carry the ball hard and fast into the Italian line, and Ireland have built it phase nine. They're pushing again, just outside the Italy 2..
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| 28 |
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Sexton kicks into the corner for Earls to chase, but he can't make it. Lineout.
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| 29 |
20 - 3 |
Throw, catch, pass, pass again, kick up field and out. Ireland turn for lineout now.
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| 30 |
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IRELAND TRY
Sexton's magical hands paves the way for Ireland to nail home another try. Trimble and Earls heavily involved down the right flank, but it's CJ Stander who polishes off Sexton's work down the right.
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| 31 |
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Sexton has a 37m kick to add the extra points...
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| 33 |
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Scrum for Ireland just on their 22 mark. In fairness to Italy, they've stood their ground for most of this game, they're just lacking that creative streak to pave wave for scoring opportunities.
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| 34 |
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That being said, Ireland are penalised for hands in the ruck and they have the chance for points from this penalty kick, that's if they decide to go for the sticks rather than the corner...
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Understandably, they've opted for the corner.
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| 36 |
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Ref blows his whistle, Italy surrender the advantage as Ireland have the scrum. Sloppy lineout.
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Italy on the attack again, and once again really struggling to get past the Irish 22 mark. Left, to right, and then back again. No matter what wing they try, they're still struggling to find that gap.
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| 38 |
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Another carry from CJ Stander as Ireland look to push the Italian's back.
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| 39 |
25 - 3 |
IRELAND TRY!
WHAT A TRY. Let me just catch my breathe and I'll somehow try to explain how good that was...
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| 40 |
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Some superb rugby down the right flank from Ireland, their passing in that move was timed to perfection. Zebo's nifty offload to Keith Earls was a highlight but the entire team interchanged tremendously well. Italian tacklers repelled off the bombarding Irish bodies very easily - arguably too easy - and Heaslip nailed it home in the left corner. Fantastic move.
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| 40+1 |
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HALF TIME
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| 40+2 |
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ESPN's Rob Bartlett had this to say straight from Dublin...
"On a beautifully sunny day in Dublin, there could well be cause for a party. Ireland have stunned Italy with some fluent, slick passing after almost being shellshocked in the opening two minutes. If only the Azzurri had been quicker with their passing, Gonzalo Garcia may have crashed over in time. Instead, Ireland have run riot with Andrew Trimble, Jack McGrath, CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip -- the last possibly the try of the tournament from their own 20m line -- all dotting down to lift the spirits around the Aviva Stadium. Joe Schmidt's team selection heavily verified from Ireland's best half of the Six Nations so far - not even wayward kicking from Sexton has dampened the atmosphere. "
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| 40 |
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We're back underway here in Dublin.
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| 41 |
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We're already into the first scrum of the half... Italy to feed.
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| 42 |
30 - 3 |
IRELAND TRY!
Easy. Payne intercepts the second Italian pass off the scrum is away with it. So poor from the Azzurri.
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| 43 |
32 - 3 |
Sexton - conversion
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| 44 |
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Italy are straight back at it though, grafting away. Much like the first half, they've got the ball in hand, but they just can not find that opening. Bash and barge...
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| 45 |
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Odiete finally penetrates down the left flank, but he's quickly brought back. Italy still with it, though.
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| 47 |
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Ireland with it now, and they're pushing well...
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| 48 |
37 - 3 |
IRELAND TRY!
Ireland forced the lineout from 5m, worked it well inside and Heaslip was the scorer, just under the posts!
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| 49 |
39 - 3 |
Sexton - conversion
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| 50 |
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Murray tries the dummy pass, and he's almost through, but the ref brings it back eventually for the penalty. Scrum Ireland.
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| 53 |
44 - 3 |
IRELAND TRY!
Just as I was about to type that the scrum's settled proceedings, Sean Cronin -- who has only just come -- has great pace for a hooker and has split the Italian line and joined the try-scoring club. Italy just falling apart now.
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| 54 |
46 - 3 |
Madigan - conversion
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| 56 |
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And we've got another scrum now. Italy's turn.
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| 57 |
46 - 8 |
ITALY TRY!
And they've hit back with one of their own. Italy are awarded the penalty, Padovani takes it quickly, bashes his way to the tryline but Odiete's required to slot the ball down. Ireland's concentration slipped for a second and they've been punished.
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| 58 |
46 - 10 |
Haimona - conversion
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| 59 |
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Ireland penalised for tackling offside and Italy have the penalised, which has been punted for the corner.
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| 61 |
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Nearly an Irish try!
Cronin again shows his pace and splits the Italian line, sprints 30 or so metres before offloading right. A couple more ball carries from Irish players and it's not long before Toner is putting the ball on the ground, supposedly. TMO is required and it's not been given. Scrum now.
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| 63 |
51 - 10 |
Ireland eventually erupt victorious from the scrum, and are pushing again in the Italian 22. They all want a piece of the action!
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| 64 |
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IRELAND TRY!
Wave after wave of Irish attack. Madigan this time the one to add the extra points. Nice footwork from the replacement to split the Italian defence down the left flank.
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| 65 |
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Ooo, Madigan's missed the kick.
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| 66 |
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Scrum now, just along half way.
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| 68 |
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Italy's turn to attack as they're moving the ball with pace and making some good ground here... Try looming, perhaps?
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| 69 |
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Phase 17 for Italy, still try looming...
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| 70 |
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They battled well there, shifting it constantly from left to right and then back again. They've gone from half way to the 22, but the ref's blown for the advantage, in the away side's favour. Italy scrum.
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| 72 |
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Italy let the scrum slip and Ireland are back to their usual. Time to escape their own half.
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| 73 |
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And that is exactly what hasn't happened. Italy have stolen the ball back off the Irish and are now looking for another pride-restoring try.
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| 74 |
51 - 15 |
ITALY TRY!
Italy have battled well during the past few moments and they've got their rewards. Great, long pass from the scrumhalf finds Sarto down the right flank who is in acres of room and has the easy job of guiding it home.
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| 75 |
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Ireland trying to repair the damage of that second Italian try straight away by looking for their own. Urgency is still a feature of their play, despite the scoreline. Earls a standout.
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| 77 |
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Henshaw and Madigan combine well down the left, and we're at phase nine. Ireland pushing.
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| 78 |
56 - 15 |
IRELAND TRY!
Good work from Ireland -- and in particular Madigan -- but it's McFadden who splits the Italian line and runs home. Italy have played well in phases, but really can't defend.
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| 79 |
58 - 15 |
Madigan - conversion
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| 80 |
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Cronin's looking for Ireland's 10th and nearly has it, but is just brought down just a few metres shy of the try line!
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| 80+1 |
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Ireland just can't find that opening and they'll have to settle with just the nine tries today...FULL TIME
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| 80+2 |
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ESPN's Rob Bartlett had this to say straight from the Aviva:
"Well, what a difference 80 minutes can make. Ireland have trounced Italy and any murmurs of head coach Joe Schmidt's selection have seemingly disappeared. In truth, the Azzurri were awful for the majority and made it easy for the Irish to regain some much-needed confidence on the ball. That rip-roaring attack was back in style as Ireland put nine tries away -- and probably should have had a few more. St Patrick's Day will no doubt be a delight on Thursday -- next week's opponents Scotland may well be shaking in their boots. "
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