Result: Italy 9-38 Ireland

606: DEBATE Discuss the action on 606

By Pranav Soneji

1633: Thanks for your texts and 606 comments, see you in two weeks' time.

1630: So Ireland finally end their dismal away form - they had lost their previous seven matches on the road - with an ultimately comprehensive win. So they lacked the flair and invention so evident against France last week, but the Grand Slam dream is still alive.

"Most boring game of rugby I've seen since...Italy's game last week."
lboroben on 606

1626: The final result is perhaps slightly harsh on Italy, but full credit to Ireland for stepping on the gas in the second half. It was hardly a classic match, but Ireland coach Declan Kidney won't get two punts.

"They fought really hard in the first half and we made it tough for ourselves, but we came through nicely in the second half."
Man of the Match Luke Fitzgerald on BBC Two

FULL-TIME: ITALY 9-38 IRELAND

77 mins:TRY ITALY 9-38 IRELAND
Andera Mati throws a hospital par excellence pass, easily intercepted by Brian O'Driscoll, who races through unopposed from 60m to touch down under the posts. The score means the Ireland captain becomes the Six Nations' second all-time leading try scorer with 19, five behind Scotland's Ian Smith. Ronan O'Gara kicks the simple conversion.

75 mins: TRY ITALY 9-31 IRELAND
Rory Best's line-out throw is too long and lands in Italian hands, but winger Luke Fitzgerald manages to steal the ball and sprint 20m to touch down for the try. And Ronan O'Gara adds the two points with a fine kick to the left of the posts.

73 mins: Finally, four passes strung together without an error or penalty, all started by a searing run from second-row Paul O'Connell. the ball is flung wide via David Wallace and Rob Kearney, but the Italian defence just about snuff the danger. Ireland regroup five metres from the Italy tryline, via 12 phases, where referee White spots an Italian infringement for another Ireland penalty. Ronan O'Gara kicks the ball to touch, maybe an Ireland catch-and-drive from the resulting line-out?

69 mins: This is ugly rugby at its best, no fluency, no spark, very little entertainment. But I doubt Irish fans will be complaining.

67 mins: The scrum is messier than a teenager's bedroom, almost every set-piece is resulting in a penalty now.

65 mins: Lovely break from Paul Griffen, who moments before was on his backside after collecting the ball at the base of the scrum. The ball is fed out to Mirco Bergamasco, but his kick can't quite find Matteo Pratichietti on the wing. Turns out Griffen's luxurious sideburns are because of a bet with a mate six years ago.

63 mins: Ireland are penalised for one of the plethora of offences at the scrum. As Chris White awards the penalty, John Hayes has a lash at opposite number Martin Castrogiovanni. Needless to say the English official is less than impressed.

"Very stop-start game. Ireland need to learn how to deal with this physical type of game which they are going to see again against England and Wales."
TAM0126 on 606

61 mins: Italy are really struggling here - they just can't get out of their half. We also have a bit of argy-bargy between Mauro Bergamasco and Brian O'Driscoll. A stiff word from Chris White and it's all resolved.

59 mins: Italy are without Gonzalo Canale, who was taken off with blood pouring out of his mouth, and is replaced by another Gonzalo, Garcia, at centre. Ireland bring on hooker Rory Best for Jerry Flannery.

56 mins: Italy are pinged for wheeling the scrum as Ronan O'Gara sends the resulting penalty deep into Italy's 22, but John Hayes - who has equalled Malcolm O'Kelly as Ireland's most capped player with 91 appearances - is the guilty culprit as the men in green concede a penalty with the tryline just metres away.

54 mins: Apologies for the lack of updates, technical issues are the bane of every text commentator.

48 mins: PEN ITALY 9-24 IRELAND
The snappers in Rome have been struggling with a power cut, along with our BBC colleagues, at the Stadio Flaminio. Ireland are having no such problems as Ronan O'Gara extends their lead to 15 points with a straightforward penalty. The Italians bring on big units Josh Sole and Carlo del Fava, a very familiar figure to Ulster followers.

46 mins: TRY ITALY 9-21 IRELAND
James Heaslip makes another blistering break with another silky step from 30m out, just like his try against France last week, but is just hauled down before the tryline by winger Matteo Pratichetti. However, Ireland quickly regroup and after a few phases, David Wallace bursts through the tackle of Mirco Bergamasco to touch down. Chris White gets confirmation from the TMO that the try is good - and Ronan O'Gara adds the extras.

45 mins: Paddy Wallace looks like he has been involved in a pub dust-up - his right eye is completely shut and is currently receiving treatment.

43 mins: Nice pass from Ronan O'Gara sees Rob Kearney crash into the line before laying the ball back. And for the second time in two minutes O'Gara finds the space in behind the Italian defence with a probing kick to force the home side to throw into a line-out 5m from their own try-line.

41 mins: Ronan O'Gara, back from his spell in the bin, kicks long to get the second half under way, and Ireland have brought Gordon D'Arcy on in place of Paddy Wallace at centre.

There's also a change at hooker for Italy with Fabio Ongaro coming off to be replaced by Carlo Festuccia.

1525: "This game is compelling. Ireland outscoring Italy two tries to zip. But you just think that with two quick penalties, Italy are back in the lead and who knows, if they use their forwards well, a try is possible and then who knows...."
HM, ARE on 606

HALF-TIME: ITALY 9-14 IRELAND

39 mins: TRY ITALY 9-14 IRELAND
Strains of "Italia!" ring around the Stadio - and they are treated to a thundering tackle from Gonzalo Canale on Brian O'Driscoll five metres from the Italian tryline. Try as they might, phase after phase, Ireland cannot penetrate a very obdurate blue wall. Slow ball isn't helping Ireland's cause, but after the 19th phase, Stephen Ferris offloads a decisive pass to Luke Fitzgerald to score under the posts. Rob Kearney adds the extras as Chris White whistles to indicate the end of the first stanza.

36 mins: YELLOW CARD
Chris White points prop Salvatore Perugini to the sin-bin for taking out his man at the line-out. Not a pretty match by any stretch of the imagination. Once again BOD goes for touch.

34 mins: Italy are penalised for using the inside arm at the line-out, but Ireland have no place kickers on the field, so Brian O'Driscoll opts to go for touch for another line-out.

33 mins: At last, some intelligent play from a man in green. Rob Kearney slips an inch-perfect grubber kick to five metres of Italy's tryline. Ireland have been disjointed, lacking the cohesion so apparent last week at Croke Park. And just for good measure, Luke Fitzgerald is rushed off with a blood injury.

30 mins: YELLOW CARD
Ronan O'Gara's kick is charged down by Gonzalo Canale and the Munster fly-half tackles the Italian centre without the ball, prompting raised arms from Canale. Referee White concurs and awards a penalty as well as a yellow card for the Ireland number 10. However, Luke McLean's penalty drifts just wide, so the deficit remains at two points.

29 mins: Ireland spurn a good opportunity to threaten Italy's defence, lots of slow ball at the breakdown and referee Chris White penalises a green shirt, handing Italy the opportunity to clear the danger.

26 mins: Another penalty, this time conceded by Martin Castrogiovanni for not entering the ruck from the back, sees Ireland advance to the Italian 22. Kaine Robertson has aggravated a hamstring injury sustained in his futile chasing of Tommy Bowe for the opening try of the match.

"Let's hope Castrogiovanni gets involved with some "passion plays", and "stand up" and be counted. Let's hope he isn't "thick as a brick" and keeps his best moves "under wraps" and he'll end the game playing like a "minstrel to the gallery"! Enough Jethro Tull (see nine mins) references now!"
Anthony Walton, South Wales via TEXT 81111

22 mins: PEN ITALY 9-7 IRELAND
Donnacha O'Callaghan attempts a "Masi-lite" on Italy's Fabio Ongaro as referee Chris White punishes the Ireland lock for a high tackle on the Saracens hooker. Up stepsLuke McLean for his third successive penalty as Italy regain the lead. Intriguing.

"How's that for the luck of the Irish?"
Redrage19 on 606

20 mins: A blow for Italy as winger Kaine Robertson is replaced by Andrea Bacchietti. I can only presume that's for an injury.

18 mins: TRY ITALY 6-7 IRELAND
Italy spread the ball through the backs from a line-out but Gonzalo Canale's wayward pass to centre partner Mirco Bergamasco is collected by the flyingTommy Bowe, who sprints a good 60m, chased by three Italian players, to touch down by the posts. Ronan O'Gara adds the extras.

16 mins: Paul Griffen nails Ireland back right inside their own 22m area with a belter of a grubber after a well-worked scrum involving his captain Sergio Parisse.

"Italy looking good today. They have, like England, improved a heck of a lot after last week's shambles. Ireland could be tested here."
Hey Mate, Aussie Rugger 'Ere on 606

14 mins: PEN ITALY 6-0 IRELAND
Smart play from Sergio Parisse, who steals an Irish tap-down at the line-out, sparking a sweeping move through the backs up to the halfway line. Ireland are penalised for offside on their 40m line, handing Luke McLean the opportunity to double their lead - and the left-footed kicker duly obliges, with a roar from the Flaminio crowd for good measure.

12 mins: Full-back Masi is back on after his cooling down period for a high tackle. We've seen eight penalties so far, a very scrappy game with little rhythm.

9 mins: Bit of needle between Castrogiovanni and Tomas O'Leary. the Italian prop looks like a beefed-up version of Ian Anderson in his Jethro Tull pomp. Ireland, who have not played well at all considering their one-man advantage, concede another penalty, allowing Italy to clear to the halfway line.

6 mins: Ronan O'Gara misses touch from a penalty, but looks like Rob Kearney has recovered from his earlier high tackle. The full-back counter-attacks after a long Italian clearance, a run which leads to a penalty after Martin Castrogiovanni is pinged at the breakdown. Ireland have an excellent attacking position on Italy's 22m line.

4 mins: PEN ITALY 3-0 IRELAND
David Wallace is pinged for not rolling away after a tackle, handing Luke McLean - an Australian-raised fly-half - the opportunity to give Italy the early lead from 40m out. A solid kick sails through the posts.

1 minute: YELLOW CARD
Less than 45 seconds into the match and Andrea Masi has just clotheslined Rob Kearney, who is fortunate just to have a head on his shoulders. Referee Chris White instantly brandishes the yellow card, which full-back Masi is fortunate to get away with.

1431: The Stadio Flaminio, draped gorgeous winter sunshine, rings out to the rousing tones of "Il Canto degli Italiani", unofficially the most uplifting national anthem in the Soneji household. Tricolore flags flutter with gusto as Italy seek their first ever win over Ireland as Luke McLean kicks things off.

A quick reminder of the teams:

Italy: A Masi; K Robertson, G Canale, Mi Bergamasco, M Pratichetti; L McLean, P Griffen; S Perugini, F Ongaro, M Castrogiovanni; S Dellape, T Reato; A Zanni, Ma Bergamasco, S Parisse. Replacements: C Festuccia, C Nieto, C del Fava, J Sole, G Toniolatti, G Garcia, A Bacchetti.

Ireland: R Kearney; Bowe, B O'Driscoll (capt), P Wallace, Fitzgerald; O'Gara, O'Leary; Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Ferris, D Wallace, Heaslip. Replacements: R Best, Court, O'Kelly, Leamy, Stringer, D'Arcy, G Murphy.

Referee: Chris White

1427: The teams run out at the Stadio Flaminio, where a thoroughly pumped up Mauro Bergamasco, obviously keen to make amends after his Dato Horribilis last week at Twickenham, leads an Italian teamtalk.

1424: Oh. My. Lord. Just seen a close up of Italy scrum-half Paul Griffen. His sideburns... It looks like he has two dyed brown baby lambs stuck to either side of his cheeks. At least he has got rid of his dreadlocks from a few years ago. But seriously, as an ardent sideburn-wearer of the past 17 years, that's just silly.

1422: It's one of those mad Sundays where there's more sport than the Olympics going on at the same time. We have live footy, cricket, tennis going on right now, so if you fancy dabbling elsewhere, have a peek here:

1418: "We thought long and hard about making changes to freshen up the team."
Ireland coach Declan Kidney on BBC Two

1414: "Italy will prove to be a stiff battle. Their tight five is as good as any in the tournament."
Ulsterrugger on 606

1412: Big burly Ireland prop Prop John Hayes will make his 91st Test appearance, equalling second-row Malcolm O'Kelly's record as Ireland's most capped player. So let's have your thoughts about the prospects in Rome via 606 or texting 81111 with the word RUGBYU before your words of wisdom. The match is live BBC Two.

1408: I doubt the Irish will be strolling around the cafes of the Piazza Navona, sipping strong espressos wielding well-thumbed copies of Corriere dello Sport thinking their task will be a walkover - the Italians gave them a right old going over at Croke Park last year, a match Ireland won 16-11.

1403: "This is a nailed-on Irish victory - probably by about 15 points. It's as predictable as a Welsh Grand Slam."
Slamtime09 on 606

1400: If I was a masseur in either of the Welsh or England dressing rooms last night, I would suspect my arms would have fallen off attempting to relieve the aches and pains of the players after one of the most bruising Six Nations encounters in living memory.

Crash, bang, wallop and a whole load of "Ooof!" A Valentine's Day massacre of the highest order. Our man Tom Fordyce has written a very entertaining blog on the subject:

Sunday sees the battle of the I's as Ireland travel to the second most romantic city in Europe. However, Ireland have been a little homesick on their travels - they have lost their last seven matches away from Dublin. Their last away victory was against Italy in the 2007 Six Nations.

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