{"id":291253,"date":"2026-02-14T16:27:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T16:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/291253\/"},"modified":"2026-02-14T16:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T16:27:10","slug":"ireland-hold-out-for-a-20-13-victory-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/291253\/","title":{"rendered":"Ireland hold out for a 20-13 victory. \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Captain Caelan Doris: \u201cThat was a proper battle the whole way through. That last 10 minute period, we defended quite a bit in our own 22, so I\u2019m happy with some of the character we showed.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cItaly played some very good stuff and tested us throughout. I feel there\u2019s some stuff we left out there, we weren\u2019t clinical enough, some of our discipline was a little bit off, but it\u2019s definitely pleasing to be on the right side of the result, it\u2019s a good swing-board to build on for next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIntent was definitely the word of the week, and I think we showed more of that in the second half. There was a pretty good feeling in the first half, but there was another step up in the second. Some pleasing stuff in there, but some lessons to be learned as well ahead of going to Twickenham next week.\u201d <\/p>\n

Man of the match Robert Baloucoune: \u201cEven to get a chance to get in to the Six Nations camp was unbelievable, but to get to play and score on my Six Nations debut has been unreal. Faz [Andy Farrell] told me to go out there and express myself, and I feel like I\u2019ve done that.” <\/p>\n

Full-time: Ireland 20, Italy 13. <\/p>\n

They\u2019ve made it. Italy\u2019s unrelenting pressure looked like it might pay off at the death, but a James Lowe interception brought an almighty sigh of relief. All over – but what a slog. <\/p>\n

Rob Kearney: \u201cIreland were lucky, Italy played the better rugby but left a few tries out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

79 mins<\/p>\n

The crowd has woken up, they\u2019re urging Ireland on – and they need all the urging they can muster. They\u2019re under enormous pressure from a wave of Italian attacks. <\/p>\n

Ireland 20, Italy 13<\/p>\n

77 mins<\/p>\n

Cripes, Tommaso Menoncello was one bounce of a ball away from scoring a try under the posts. It\u2019s all Italy. Stomach-churning.<\/p>\n

Ireland 20, Italy 13<\/p>\n

74 mins<\/p>\n

Rory Best on ITV: \u201cThe bench has had a big impact, it\u2019s the speed and certainty Jack Crowley is playing with that allows Ireland to look more dangerous. The scrum is still their Achilles heel and they need to sort that out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Italy are piling on the pressure, these final six minutes will, you\u2019d suspect, be excruciating. <\/p>\n

Ireland 20, Italy 13<\/p>\n

70 mins<\/p>\n

What a special moment for Edwin Edogbo, he comes on to make his international debut, replacing James Ryan. <\/p>\n

Ireland 20, Italy 13<\/p>\n

66 mins<\/p>\n

Italy pull three points back through a Alessandro Garbisi penalty. Tom O\u2019Toole comes on for Jeremy Loughman.<\/p>\n

Ireland 20, Italy 13<\/p>\n

Robert Baloucoune won\u2019t forget this moment in a hurry – neither will we. <\/p>\n

62 mins<\/p>\n

Jack Crowley knocks over a penalty to give Ireland a 10-point lead. This is much, much better, Ireland have come to life. <\/p>\n

Ireland 20, Italy 10<\/p>\n

57 mins<\/p>\n

Try for Ireland!<\/p>\n

Robert Baloucoune on his Six Nations debut! Jack Crowley, who replaced Sam Prendergast, converts to make it 17-10. This is more like it. <\/p>\n

Ireland 17, Italy 10<\/p>\n

53 mins<\/p>\n

Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Beirne and Jamison Gibson-Park are on for Ireland, Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy and Craig Casey the men to make way.<\/p>\n

Ireland 10, Italy 10<\/p>\n

49 mins<\/p>\n

Phew – an Italian try is disallowed. It was a great break from Tommaso Menoncello who flung it wide to Louis Lynagh, but the pass was forward. <\/p>\n

Ireland 10, Italy 10<\/p>\n

43 mins<\/p>\n

Try for Ireland! <\/p>\n

Jack Conan gives them the perfect start to the second half by driving over after great work from the forwards. That was some half-time team talk from Andy Farrell. <\/p>\n

Prendergast misses another very kickable conversion. <\/p>\n

Ireland 10, Italy 10<\/p>\n

40 mins<\/p>\n

Tadhg Furlong is on for Thomas Clarkson, the only change for Ireland at the break. The second half is under way.<\/p>\n

Ireland 5, Italy 10. <\/p>\n

Half-time: Ireland 5, Italy 10<\/p>\n

Italy\u2019s Monty Ioane might just be in trouble after replays showed him throwing a punch at James Ryan as the whistle went for half-time. Hmm, we\u2019ll see if there are any consequences.<\/p>\n

Half-time: Ireland 5, Italy 10<\/p>\n

Ireland lucky to be only 10-5 down. They had a bright enough start, but Italy were largely on top for those last 15 or 20 minutes. Thus far they\u2019re looking good for their first ever Six Nations win in Dublin. <\/p>\n

The one bit of good news is that Craig Casey\u2019s yellow card will stay a yellow after a review, there\u2019ll be no upgrading, mercifully, to a red.<\/p>\n

Half-time: Ireland 5, Italy 10<\/p>\n

Brilliant from Stuart McCloskey, he turns the ball over and saves Ireland\u2019s skin just as Italy were closing in for another try seconds before the break. <\/p>\n

An exhausting first half. <\/p>\n

42 mins<\/p>\n

Penalty to Italy after they demolish Ireland\u2019s scrum. They kick to the corner. <\/p>\n

Ireland 5, Italy 10 <\/p>\n

37 mins <\/p>\n

The Aviva Stadium is eerily quiet, save for some celebratory Italian chanting. Tempers fraying a touch between the sides after Italy win a penalty from a scrum. <\/p>\n

Ireland 5, Italy 10<\/p>\n

32 mins<\/p>\n

Try for Italy.<\/p>\n

A yellow card for a bloodied Craig Casey after head contact with Lorenzo Cannone in an upright tackle, and Italy take immediate advantage of their extra man. Ireland can\u2019t hold back their maul and Giacomo Nicotera breaks away to score. Garbisi converts and Italy lead by five. Not good.<\/p>\n

Ireland 5, Italy 10<\/p>\n

25 mins<\/p>\n

A big missed opportunity for Italy, Lorenzo Pani chips over the Irish defence and skips past Sam Prendergast, he collects his own kick but Michele Lamaro knocks on when trying to gather the offload.<\/p>\n

Ireland 5, Italy 3<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s that Jamie Osborne try.<\/p>\n

21 mins<\/p>\n

Cormac Izuchukwu is penalised at the lineout and Paolo Garbisi converts the resulting penalty. Scruffy from Ireland. <\/p>\n

Ireland 5, Italy 3<\/p>\n

16 mins <\/p>\n

Try for Ireland! Italy were superbly managing the clock before Lynagh\u2019s return from his yellow card, but Jamie Osborne goes over after great work from Stuart McCloskey. Prendergast misses the conversion.<\/p>\n

Ireland 5, Italy 0<\/p>\n

15 mins<\/p>\n

Ah, Ireland lose possession when they\u2019re just a handful of yards from the line, brilliant counter-rucking from Italy. <\/p>\n

Ireland 0, Italy 0 <\/p>\n

11 mins<\/p>\n

Italy\u2019s Louis Lynagh picks up a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on after he tried to get a hand to a looping Sam Prendergast pass.<\/p>\n

Ireland 0, Italy 0 <\/p>\n

10 mins<\/p>\n

Safe to say, it\u2019s end to end stuff so far. No end of intent from Ireland, as Andy Farrell demanded, but Italy seeing plenty of the ball too. <\/p>\n

Ireland 0, Italy 0<\/p>\n

7 mins<\/p>\n

A solid start for Ireland\u2019s scrum, Sam Prendergast kicks to the 22 after Danilo Fischetti gives away a penalty by collapsing it. James Lowe is almost in for a try, but Italy hold out.<\/p>\n

Ireland 0, Italy 0<\/p>\n

Ireland 0, Italy 0 <\/p>\n

Anthems done and dusted, we\u2019re up and running. Light a candle.<\/p>\n

Matt Williams has a message for Irish supporters in the Aviva Stadium today: \u201cStop constantly getting up to buy pints during play, keep your entitled arses on the seats and help create an atmosphere that will empower the team to display the energy, positive body language and physicality that were non-existent in Paris.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s them told.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Moaning suggests Ireland is a nation deluded about its rugby realityOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Okay, the teams are out. <\/p>\n

We have no end of reading for you before the game – and some of it will do nothing for your nerves. Like Gerry reminiscing about Ireland\u2019s 2013 defeat by Italy. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Rome revisited: A look back at Ireland\u2019s infamous 2013 defeat to ItalyOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

And John O\u2019Sullivan telling us how the Italians can cause us no little pain today. Thanks John. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Key areas where Italy can target Ireland in Saturday\u2019s Aviva Stadium clashOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

If you want to read regular words of wisdom from our rugby crew, sign up to the Irish Times\u2019 weekly rugby digest – The Counter Ruck is delivered every Friday. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Sign up for the Counter Ruck newsletterOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Peter O\u2019Mahony is making his Virgin Media punditry debut today. He\u2019s not convinced he\u2019ll enjoy it, so he might well return to his gardening if today proves to be a grind.<\/p>\n

\"HollieHollie Davidson giving Fiji’s Setareki Turagacoke a yellow card during their Autumn Series game against Ireland in 2024. Photograph: Ben Brady\/INPHO <\/p>\n

Hollie Davidson will make history at the Aviva Stadium today when she becomes the first woman to referee a men\u2019s Six Nations game. Donald McRae spoke to her earlier in the week about her journey through the sport. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Hollie Davidson: \u2018The stuff shouted from the sidelines was ridiculous \u2013 all the classics\u2019Opens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, after their 18-15 win over Scotland in round one, Italian coach Gonzalo Quesada has stuck with his winning formula, making just one enforced change to his team. Juan Ignacio Brex asked to be excused from the trip to Dublin for family reasons, which have not \u200bbeen disclosed, so Lorenzo Pani comes in at fullback to allow Leonardo Marin switch to centre.<\/p>\n

Italy: Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Leonardo Marin, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro \u200cFusco; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari; Niccolo Cannone, Andrea Zambonin; Michele Lamaro (capt), Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone.<\/p>\n

Replacements: Tommaso di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, David Odiase, Alessandro Garbisi, Paolo Odogwu.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Italy stay with winning formula for Six Nations clash with IrelandOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Good afternoon, how are the nerves? <\/p>\n

Later today, at 4.40 to be exact, Scotland and England square up in Murrayfield, but there\u2019s a fair chance your focus will on the Aviva Stadium at 2.10 when Ireland take on Italy. <\/p>\n

After that less than pleasant trip to Paris for the Six Nations\u2019 opener, Andy Farrell made six changes to his side with Ulster pair Robert Baloucoune and Cormac Izuchukwu all set for their Six Nations debuts and Munster lock Edwin Edogbo, named among the replacements, likely to make his international debut. <\/p>\n

Farrell wasn\u2019t shy about making some big decisions, among them leaving Josh van der Flier out of his match-day 23 and dropping Tadhg Beirne and Jamison Gibson-Park to the bench.<\/p>\n

Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Cormac Izuchukwu, Caelan Doris (captain), Jack Conan.<\/p>\n

Replacements: R\u00f3nan Kelleher, Tom O\u2019Toole, Tadhg Furlong, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley.<\/p>\n

Gerry Thornley takes you through the team\u2026..<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Ireland ring the changes for Six Nations visit of Italy as Josh van der Flier left out of squadOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\u2026 and he heard from Farrell on his selection, the coach confident that \u201cthis is the right time\u201d for the likes of Baloucoune, Izuchukwu and Edogbo to get their chance.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0\u2018This is the right time\u2019: Farrell puts faith in much-changed Ireland team to see off ItalyOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Teams:<\/p>\n

IRELAND: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Cormac Izuchukwu, Caelan Doris (capt), Jack Conan.<\/p>\n

Replacements: R\u00f3nan Kelleher, Tom O\u2019Toole, Tadhg Furlong, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley.<\/p>\n

ITALY: Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin; Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari; Niccolo Cannone, Andrea Zambonin; Michele Lamaro (capt), Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone.<\/p>\n

Replacements: Tommaso di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, David Odiase, Alessandro Garbisi, Paolo Odogwu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Captain Caelan Doris: \u201cThat was a proper battle the whole way through. That last 10 minute period, we…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":291254,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[85,5429,46,148252,112676,105],"class_list":["post-291253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-il","tag-ireland-rugby","tag-israel","tag-italy-rugby","tag-six-nations","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291253\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/291254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=291253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=291253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}