Hooker Dan Sheehan scored a hat-trick of tries as champions Ireland laboured to a 22-17 bonus-point victory over hosts Italy on Saturday to move top of the Six Nations table and retain a chance of winning the title.

Ireland travel to the Stadio Olympic to face Italy on Saturday, with their title defense in the balance after last weekend's humbling at the hands of France. Last Saturday's defeat to Les Bleus in Dublin ended the Grand Slam hopes of the Boys in Green,

Ireland stand-in coach Simon Easterby was left frustrated by his side’s inability to kill off the match in their 22-17 Six Nations victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday, and admits it has been a mixed campaign for the defending champions.

Hooker Dan Sheehan scored a hat-trick of tries as champions Ireland laboured to a 22-17 bonus-point victory over hosts Italy on Saturday to move top of the Six Nations table and retain a chance of winning the title.

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby feels his side were "trying to force things" in their Six Nations win over Italy.

Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has praised Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray following the trio's final Test match against Italy on Saturday.

Ireland held off a spirited Italy to secure a bonus-point win in Rome, but their hopes of winning a third consecutive Six Nations title were ended by England's win over Wales. Hugo Keenan's first-half score and Dan Sheehan's hat-trick ensured a win that took Ireland to 19 points in the table,