IRELAND welcome Italy to Dublin TODAY in a bottom of the table Women's Six Nations clash
Both nations have got off to the worst start possible – losing their opening two games without registering a single point on the board.
- Start time: 5pm BST
- TV/Live stream: BBC Red Button
Keep up to date with our live blog below…
- Kieran Davies
Try – Lucy Mulhall (Ireland)
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-3 Italy
19. The more Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe sees of the ball, the more dangerous Ireland look.
The bursting runs at pace, beating players and gaining yards.
Ireland starting a rolling maul, pushing for the Italian line.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-3 Italy
17. Both teams are struggling with their lineouts in this wind.
Italy are getting the ball out of the scrum far too slowly.
Barattin has tackles on her before she looks to release.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-3 Italy
15. Italy do well to disrupt the Irish lineout and to win possession.
The visitors struggle to get the ball clear and are penalised.
Ireland have a scrum in front of Italy five metre line.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-3 Italy
13. Ireland have a scrum on halfway.
Parsons links up with Murphy Crowe and she charges down the wing.
Ireland win another penalty.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-3 Italy
11. Ireland looked in a good position to push for the Italian try line but a loose pass allows Riggoni to clear.
The Irish players seem in a rush to get some points, the Italy points seem to have riled them up.
In haste they are making some errors.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-3 Italy
9. Parsons takes the game to Italy with a run down the wing against two Italian players.
She tries to release the ball but is taken into touch.
Italy have a scrum deep in their own half, Ireland win a penalty.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-3 Italy
7. Ireland win the penalty after a continued spell on the edge of the Italy twenty-two.
Bettoni is off her feet giving the penalty away.
Ireland put in to the scrum.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-3 Italy
5. Italy opting for points on the board when awarded the penalty.
Ireland need to find an immediate response.
They drive into Italy territory, trying to spread the ball quickly to the wing.
- Kieran Davies
Penalty – Riggoni (Italy)
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-0 Italy
3. Bettoni does well riding the Irish challenges.
The Italy pack push Ireland back as they pass the Ireland twnety-two.
D'Inca is released on the wing but she does not have the pace to beat the Irish cover and is taken into touch.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland 0-0 Italy
1. Riggoni is getting involved a lot for Italy in the early stages.
She breaks through the Irish tackles for a big gain for the Italians.
Riggoni then kicks deep into the corner with the wind behind her, causing issues for the Irish backs.
- Kieran Davies
Kick-off: Ireland vs Italy
We are underway in Cork.
Ireland get us started with a kick deep into the Italy half.
- Kieran Davies
National anthems time
As both teams observe their national anthems, the teams look focussed on the job ahead.
It is a blustery overcast day in Cork which will be testing conditions.
Let's hope the rugby on show will brighten the afternoon.
- Kieran Davies
Focus and effort key today
The Ireland coach outlined what he has tried to do with the squad selected:
We have challenged the players to take their opportunities and we’re trying to increase competition across the board, which is a really healthy thing to have within your squad. The players coming into the team this week have worked hard and earned their chance, so we’re looking forward to seeing how they react and perform.
Greg McWilliamsIreland
- Kieran Davies
Italy replacements:
Vittoria Vecchini, Michela Merlo, Sara Seye, Valeria Fedrighi, Alessandra Frangipani, Sofia Stefan, Alyssa D’Inca, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi.
- Kieran Davies
Italy starting XV:
Manuela Furla (captain); Aura Muzzo, Michela Sillari, Beatrice Rigoni, Maria Magatti; Veronica Madia, Sara Barattin; Gaia Maris, Melissa Bettoni, Lucia Gai, Sara Tounesi, Giordana Duca, Beatrice Veronese, Isabella Locatelli, Elisa Giordano.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland replacements:
Emma Hooban, Chloe Pearse, Katie O’Dwyer, Brittany Hogan, Aoife Wafer, Aoibheann Reilly, Enya Breen, Aoife Doyle.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland starting XV:
Lucy Mulhall; Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins, Stacey Flood, Beibhinn Parsons; Nicole Cronin, Kathryn Dane; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney, Nichola Fryday (captain), Sam Monaghan, Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon, Hannah O’Connor.
- Kieran Davies
Welcome to Ireland vs Italy
The Azzurri travel to Ireland this afternoon with both teams looking for their first win of the TikTok Six Nations tournament.
Both teams will be looking to bounce back from below-par performances today and with Ireland due to lose players later in the championship due to sevens commitments, this game poses the best opportunity for Ireland to chalk up a win.
Italy impressed in patches against France but were not able to capitalise on their opportunities while against England they created only one real chance all game – that was a disappointing performance.
Lucy Mulhall moves from wing to full-back for this game and they have also made four personnel changes to the Ireland team.
In the backs, wing Beibhinn Parsons and scrum-half Kathryn Dane come in, up front prop Christy Haney and No.8 Hannah O’Connor start.
Teenage back-row Aoife Wafer could also make her debut from the bench.
The three changes to the Italy starting XV see the addition of plenty of experience to the back-line in captain Manuela Furla and centurion Sara Barattin.
In the pack, Beatrice Veronese starts with Francesca Sberna dropping out of the match-day squad.
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