RBS Six Nations: Italy host Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico

Saturday 7 February 2015 16:58, UK

Image: The Italian tricolour was flying high in Rome ahead of Italy's Six Nations opener...
Image: ...There was a strong Irish presence in the Italian capital too
Image: It is not often Ireland captain Paul O'Connell can be accused of taking a laid back approach
Image: Ian Keatley made his overdue RBS Six Nations debut for Ireland, he deputised for British and Irish Lions playmaker Johnny Sexton
Image: Early scrum battles between the sides tested the Stadio Olimpico turf
Image: Italy wing Luke McLean was looking to cause problems for Ireland early on
Image: Livewire scrum-half Conor Murray shouldered the responsibility of leading the Irish backline well
Image: Jared Payne started the Six Nations in the iconic No 13 jersey for Ireland
Image: Keatley kicked three first-half penalties to give Ireland a 9-3 lead at the break
Image: Tommy Bowe tipped the ball away from Luke McLean as the pair did battle in the air
Image: Italy captain Sergio Parisse was constantly looking to break the gain line
Image: Ireland flanker Jordi Murphy tried to race away in the second half
Image: Rob Kearney carried Italian duo Luca Morisi and Edoardo Gori
Image: Scrum-half Murray burrowed off the back off a ruck to claim Ireland's first try
Image: And one brought two for Ireland as debutant flanker Tommy O'Donnell held of tacklers to burst through...
Image: ...Before sprinting clear to slide home for his first Six Nations try
Image: Italy fly-half Kelly Haimona thought he had bagged a consolation try for the hosts, but was denied by the TMO
Image: ...But Ireland held on to claim a 26-3 victory as they made a perfect start to their Six Nations defence