As it happened: Minute-by-minute recap as Ireland destroy Italy

TWO OUT OF TWO: Ireland’s James Lowe celebrates after scoring with Craig Casey and Jack Conan. Pic Credit: Ben Brady, Inpho.

Two wins out of two for Ireland. First time ever they kept Italy scoreless and they could have had even more than the six tries to show for their efforts.

The Boys in Green march on, the hunt for back-to-back Grand Slams is still on.

Thanks for joining us!

Stay tuned to our website for the match report as well as the best of the reaction from another good day for Ireland.

FULL TIME: IRELAND 36 ITALY 0

NO TRY! AH WELL!!

83mins The referee is going to review it though.

TRY IRELAND!

82mins Ireland pushing for their seventh try of the afternoon. They have a penalty close to Italy's goal-line.

IRELAND 36 ITALY 0

79mins Harry Byrne kicks a brilliant conversion from a really tight angle over on the right flank.

78mins Calvin Nash goes down in the corner for his second try in as many games.

TRY IRELAND!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: James Lowe.

75mins Ireland were on the march again until Jordan Larmour passed the ball forward.

James Lowe of Ireland, hidden, scores his side's fifth try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

IRELAND SUB

Josh van der Flier for Ryan Baird

IRELAND SUB

Jordan Larmour for Robbie Henshaw

IRELAND 29 ITALY 0

63mins Crowley fails to convert from a tough angle.

62mins James Lowe drives through the Italy defence for an excellent try. His 13th for Ireland on his 28th appearance.

IRELAND TRY!

IRELAND SUBS:

Iain Henderson for James Ryan

Harry Byrne for Hugo Keenan

59mins Italy's Tommaso Menoncello has been sent to the sinbin for 10 minutes. Ireland now with a great chance to add to their lead.

ITALY YELLOW CARD

IRELAND SUBS:

Ronan Kelleher for Dan Sheehan

Jeremy Loughman for Andrew Porter

Tom O'Toole for Finlay Bealham

Ireland’s Dan Sheehan scores his second try. Pic Credit: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

NO TRY! IT REMAINS IRELAND 24 ITALY 0

56mins The referee is looking for the try to be reviewed in real speed.

56mins Robbie Henshaw powers his way across the line. TMO are checking for a double movement though.

TRY IRELAND!

53mins Sheehan held at the line as he looked certain to complete his hat-trick.

IRELAND 24 ITALY 0

51mins Crowley fails to add the conversion. Two successful and two unsuccessful kicks for the Munster man now.

50mins Dan Sheehan crosses for his second try of the match, his third of the championship and it secures the bonus point for Ireland.

TRY IRELAND!

Jack Conan of Ireland, right, celebrates with team-mates Andrew Porter, middle, and Craig Casey, as they assist team-mate Dan Sheehan after scoring their side's third try. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY

So how are we all feeling at half time? So far so good? Surely more tries and a bonus point to come in the second-half? A second successive Grand Slam title incoming? Let us know and stay tuned to our website for the report and all the best reaction after full-time.

HALF TIME: IRELAND 19 ITALY 0

40mins Ireland now looking to seal the bonus point before half-time.

IRELAND 19 ITALY 0

39mins Crowley adds the conversion, 2 out of 3 for the Cork man now. He seems to have found his range after missing with his first kick.

38mins Jack Conan crosses the line for Ireland' third try. It's his 10th on the day he wins his 43rd cap.

TRY IRELAND!

37mins Ireland are at the line.

Dan Sheehan of Ireland scores his side's second try despite the efforts of Ange Capuozzo of Italy during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

IRELAND 12 ITALY 0

25mins Crowley adds the extras.

24mins Lovely work from Crowley and McCloskey allows Dan Sheehan to touch down behind the line.

TRY IRELAND!

24mins A great tackle stops Keenan from breaking clear.

19mins A poor kick gives Ireland possession back with a lineout close to the half-way line.

18mins Italy now kick a penalty deep into Ireland territory. They win the lineout (just) and are on the move by the 22 metre line.

13mins Italy scrum close to their own goal-line. They are awarded a penalty so will have the chance to clear the danger.

11mins The Irish are back deep into Italy territory, looking to add to their early lead.

Jack Crowley of Ireland on his way to scoring his side's first try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

IRELAND 5 ITALY 0

8mins Jack Crowley skips through the defense to score his first try for his country. But he drags his conversion from a relatively easy position wide.

TRY IRELAND!

7mins A relieved Ireland are now mounting their first genuine attack of the game.

5mins Italy squander a chance to take the lead as a poorly struck penalty drifts wide of the upright.

Absolutely brilliant! 👏

Stevie Mulrooney, the star of the Toy Show, sings Ireland's Call in front of a sold out Aviva Stadium.

Fantastic. 💚#IREvITA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/y8ftVi7MzJ

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 11, 2024

3mins Bright start by the Italians. They take a quick line-out and are on the attack inside Ireland's half.

THE MATCH IS UNDERWAY!

2.58pm And singing Ireland's call is the young fella that lit up the Late Late Toy Show with his rendition back before Christmas.

2.55pm Now it's time for the national anthems with Italy's belter being followed by Ireland's call.

2.50pm The teams are out on the pitch and here comes the President.

2.45pm Getting closer to kick-off, below are a few key talking points ahead of the match.

WARM-UP: Ireland's Iain Henderson makes his way out onto the pitch to warm up. Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

2.41pm Here are the thoughts of Andy Farrell, speaking to Virgin Media ahead of kick-off.

"It's been a brilliant week of unpicking things and making sure we understand how we used this week to get better, so I'm excited."

Andy Farrell speaking to @TommyMartinVM pre-match at the Aviva.#IREvITA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/n5JelK5E14

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 11, 2024

2.33pm Today's game will be Ireland's 500th in the Guinness Men's Six Nations. Surely they will mark the occasion with a victory?

2.23pm Some pre-match reading for you to enjoy. Here are the thoughts of today's captain; Caelan Doris.

MATCH DAY: Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell arrives. Pic Credit: Dan Sheridan, Inpho.

Good afternoon and welcome to the Irish Examiner's live blog as Ireland take on Italy in the Six Nations.

Andy Farrell's men will be looking to make it two wins out of two following their impressive victory in France last time out.

We'll have minute-by minute coverage of the action, as well as reaction from Simon Lewis, who is in position for us at the Aviva Stadium.

Let us know your thoughts and pre-game predictions: [e-mail]