Photograph: InphoSix Nations: Ireland 20 Italy 13A wild, fluctuating, rollercoaster of a game, not in keeping with so many of the forgettable Ireland-Italy matches of the past which have faded from memory. Most disconcertingly, by the second quarter Ireland had completely lost their way and were in much greater need of the interval. Photograph: Billy Stickland/InphoThey played the same hand off a scrum penalty, but Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey stopped Menoncello, McCloskey also preventing the offload to end the half. Soon the tension returned as Garbisi made it 20-13 with a scrum penalty. Scoring sequence: 17 mins Osborne try 5-0; 21 mins Garbisi pen 5-3; 32 mins Nicotera try, Garbisi con 5-10; (half-time 5-10); 43 mins Conan try 10-10; 59 mins Baloucoune try, Crowley con 17-10; 63 mins Crowley pen 20-10; 67 mins Garbisi pen 20-13.

Source: The Irish Times February 14, 2026 17:27 UTC