Italy 17-22 Ireland: Sheehan hat-trick keeps slender Six Nations hopes alive

A bonus-point win at the Stadio Olimpico moved the two-time defending champions back to the top of the table with 19 points, but they will need both France and England to lose later in the day to secure a historic third straight title.

England face Wales in Cardiff before France take on Scotland, with Les Bleus knowing a win in Paris will give them the title irrespective of results elsewhere.

Hooker Sheehan scored a hat-trick of tries for Ireland, who were 12-10 ahead at the break, while full-back Hugo Keenan also crossed.

Italy, despite playing half an hour with 14 players after yellow cards for Michele Lamaro and Giacomo Nicotera and a 20-minute red for Ross Vincent, set up a nervy finish with Monty Ioane and Stephen Varney managing tries for the home side.

Italy finish with five points from five games - two more than Wales, who head into their clash with England at the bottom of the standings.

Finishing with a W in Rome! #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/8PWNhcT0n8

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 15, 2025

Ireland have now won each of their last 12 Six Nations matches against Italy. It is their second longest winning run against any side – only behind their 13-game streak against the Azzurri between 2000 and 2012.

Indeed, they have also now won 25 of their 26 Six Nations clashes with Italy - the exception being a 22-15 defeat in 2013 when the Irish finished fifth despite them beating eventual champions Wales in the opening round.

Ireland finished the 2025 Six Nations with a record of four victories and one defeat, making it the fourth year in a row that they have won at least four games, their longest such run in the tournament's history.