Ireland Tops Italy 22-17, Sheehan Nets Hat-trick in Six Nations Battle

Ireland's rugby team achieved a crucial 22-17 victory against Italy in Rome, driven by a hat-trick from Dan Sheehan. This win keeps their hopes of retaining the Six Nations title alive, contingent upon favorable results from other matches later that day. Despite the victory, Ireland's performance was inconsistent, with missed scoring opportunities and a scrappy first half that saw Italy take an early lead. Italy's resilience was evident, managing to score two tries even while reduced to 14 players due to disciplinary issues. The match also marked the final international appearances for retiring players Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray, adding emotional significance to the contest. Ireland now relies on Scotland and Wales to defeat England and France, respectively, to secure a chance at the championship.