From hat-tricks to record-breaking scores, explore Ireland’s most significant victories over Italy in the Six Nations tournament. Learn about the standout performances, the players, and the key moments that helped Ireland to victory.
The Six Nations is one of the most highly anticipated rugby tournaments of the year, bringing together the best teams from across Europe for a month-long display of skill, strength, and determination.
For Ireland, the Six Nations tournament has seen some significant victories over the years. In particular, the Irish team has enjoyed some of their biggest victories over Italy.
With the 2023 tournament well under way, Ireland visit Rome this weekend to take on the Italians.
Italy remain winless in this year’s tournament, and this weekend’s match-up should be a good opportunity for the Irish to register a bonus point win.
In this article, we will take a look back at Ireland’s five biggest victories over Italy in the Six Nations.
5. Ireland 56-19 Italy (2018) – Henshaw and Stockdale at the double
We begin our countdown in the 2018 tournament, in which a free-scoring Ireland recorded eight tries to secure a comfortable victory over the Italians in Dublin.
Robbie Henshaw and Jacob Stockdale both scored two tries each, while Conor Murray, Bundee Aki, Keith Earls, and Rory Best also got on the scoresheet.
It was an important victory as Ireland went on to secure the Six Nations title.
4. Ireland 57-6 Italy (2022) – a dream debut for Lowry
You don’t have to cast your mind back far for number four on our list, with this comfortable Irish victory coming in the 2022 tournament.
Michael Lowry made a dream start to his international career with two tries on his debut. Six of his teammates joined him on the scoresheet as Ireland scored nine tries in total.
James Lowe chipped in with two, while Jamison Gibson-Park, Joey Carberry, Peter O’Mahony, Ryan Baird, and Kieran Treadwell added one apiece.
There was double humiliation for Italy, as this was defeat number 100 for them in Six Nations history.
3. Ireland 58-15 Italy (2016) – Ireland on cloud nine
Ireland recorded a comfortable victory against the visitors at the Aviva Stadium in 2016.
Seán Cronin marked his fiftieth test cap with a try and was joined by seven teammates on the scoresheet. Ireland scored nine tries in all, with Jamie Heaslip claiming two.
Donnacha Ryan put in an excellent performance for Joe Schmidt’s men, who would finish the tournament in third place.
2. Ireland 60-13 Italy (2000) – Ronan O’Gara’s trademark precision
The inaugural Six Nations tournament was a baptism of fire for Italy. Despite winning their opening match at home to Scotland, they went on to lose four in a row to finish last.
One of these four defeats came at the hands of the Irish at the old Lansdowne Road. Ireland were clinical and ruthless throughout, recording six tries.
Ronan O’Gara’s kicking was faultless, scoring six tries and six penalties to compound Italy’s misery.
1. Italy 10-63 Ireland (2017) – Rome Rule away from home for Ireland
The only away match to feature on our list happens to be Ireland’s most convincing victory against Italy.
Ireland ran riot at the Stadio Olimpico, with CJ Stander and Craig Gilroy each scoring a hat-trick. Keith Earls recorded two tries of his own, while Garry Ringrose chipped in with one.
With this victory, Ireland earned the first ever try bonus point, which was introduced to the Six Nations for this tournament.
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