The China Mail - Ireland squeeze past Italy to stay in Six Nations title hunt

Dan Sheehan scored a hat-trick of tries as the Irish got the bonus-point victory they needed to go three points clear of favourites France.

However, Ireland still need results to go their way later on Saturday in order to secure a third straight tournament crown on the day Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray said goodbye to international rugby in front of an army of travelling fans.

Ireland had to come through a tough clash with battling Italy who played a huge chunk of the match with fewer men on the field due to Michele Lamaro and Giacomo Nicotera both being yellow carded and Ross Vintcent's red card for a reckless tackle on Ireland's other try scorer Hugo Keenan.

Ireland now have to wait for the results of third-placed England's clash with Wales in Cardiff and above all what happens between France, who started the day two points ahead of the Irish, and Scotland in the late match in Paris.

"We can't impact that now, so I think we're back to the hotel and get a change and then share a bit of time together," Easterby told reporters.

"We've enjoyed the last eight weeks, the experiences, but it's only this time after the game that you enjoy the most because it's time that you share with people that you know have put a lot of work in and a lot of effort."

Italy were again undone by the ill-discipline which has so often cost them in the Six Nations and could leave them holding the wooden spoon even though they collected a defensive bonus point.

- 'Better team' -

Gonzalo Quesada's side remain fifth on five points, two points above bottom side Wales who will avoid finishing last with a victory over England or even if they fail to win and collect enough bonus points while maintaining their superior points difference on the Italians.

"Obviously we're disappointed at the end of the match because it was a day in which 15 against 15 we were for long periods the better team," Quesada told reporters.

"We were not all that far away of getting a win which would have been incredible but at the same time there's a lot of which we can be proud."

The hosts were on top of lacklustre Ireland in the opening period but went in behind at the break in large part due to Lamaro getting his yellow card and giving away a scrum which led to Sheehan putting the away side ahead with their second try of the game.

Up to that point Italy were leading thanks to Monty Ioane's converted score and a Tommaso Allan penalty but Vintcent's awful challenge shortly after half-time led to a classic wobble from the Italians who were kept in the game by Ireland failing to convert three of their four tries.

Finlay Bealham, James Lowe and Keenan were also denied tries for Ireland by the TMO in an incident-packed match.

Substitute Stephen Varney made sure it would be a tense finale when he touched down for a converted score after Ange Capuozzo chased down a long kick and forced an Irish handling error, but Ireland held out for what could yet be a championship-deciding win.

C.Mak--ThChM