What Happened In a thrilling encounter at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland edged past Italy with a final score of 20-13 in the second round of the 2026 Six Nations. After trailing 10-5 at halftime, Ireland rallied in the second half with tries from Stuart McCloskey and Jack Conan, while Italy’s Giacomo Nicotera had scored earlier in the match. Despite a strong performance from Italy, Ireland’s defense held firm in the closing minutes to secure the win. Why It Matters This victory marks a crucial turnaround for Ireland, who faced criticism following their previous loss to France. Player of the match Rob Baloucoune expressed his excitement about making his Six Nations debut and contributing to the win. The match also highlighted Italy’s competitive spirit, as they came off a victory against Scotland but were unable to capitalize on their momentum against Ireland. What’s Next Looking ahead, Ireland will face England at Twickenham next week, a match that promises to be significant for both teams. Meanwhile, Italy will travel to Paris for a challenging encounter with France. Both teams will aim to build on their performances as the Six Nations continues. Post navigation What We Know: Lille vs Brest in Ligue 1 Showdown Why the Development of Qazigund, the Gateway of Kashmir, Matters