20-13: Ireland’s comeback in the historic debut of a woman in the Six Nations

The Italy led by the Argentine Gozalo Quesada They were one try and one goal away from tying against Ireland in Dublin, which would have been the first time that the transalpine team did not lose in the Irish capital in the Six Nations.

The “azzurri” squad has only beaten the green team on one occasion since it began playing in the Six Nations in 2000. It was in 2013, in Rome. With this Saturday’s victory, those of Andy Farrell who had just lost to France, have won twelve consecutive victories against Italy in this competition.

Quesada’s team never lost face and had a great first half in which, after beating Scotland in Rome a week ago, they once again demonstrated the growth of Italian rugby.

The good “azzurra” defense ruined the start of the greens, who even had the option of opening the scoring five meters from the rival mark. It seemed that the visitors were still, a week later, still in Rome with that great defense that thwarted a final Scottish offensive on the first day of the Six Nations in which they beat the XV del Cardo.

Expulsion for ten minutes Lynagh, in the 11th minute, he harmed the transalpines, in such a way that Osborne began the count of the Irish shortly after, although an uncertain Prendergast An easy conversion for his team did not happen between the sticks. GarbisiHowever, he did do so with the first blow that the Italian flyhalf had.

Ireland dominated the score after 30 minutes, but the feeling was that Italy was better and that their try would not be long in coming. As if that were not enough, Casey saw the second yellow of the match in a tackle, a high tackle, which after the subsequent penalty hit caused Niccotera to cross the local goal line.

The slowness and erratic play of Andy Farrell’s team, the superiority of Fusco and Garbisi compared to Casey and Prendergast in the center, and the aggressiveness and ambition of the transalpine forward, who caused a fight after her first try, were enough for the surprise to come at half-time and Quesada’s team to dominate the score (5-10).

I had already whistled Holly Davidsonthe first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations match, the end of the first half, and players from both teams were still fighting without the ball and with their fists on guard on the Aviva pitch.

The XV del Trébol showed their pride and went all out after the restart. Thus, Conan obtained the second mark for his people. Prendergast’s boot failed to convert on that occasion either: 10-10 in the 43rd minute.

A forward pass of Menoncello on Lynagh caused Italy’s second try to be canceled to the disappointment of the thousands of Italians who were in the stands and stands of the Aviva in Dublin.

Farrell changed his two halves and Casey Predergast left the field and Gibson Park and Crowley entered, who would also wake up their fans. The substitutions paid off, not least because the new kicker and flyhalf improved Prendergast substantially.

A test of Baulocouneconverted by Crowley, plus a hit from him made the score 20-10 in the 63rd minute, partially neutralized by another hit from Garbisi: 20-13 in the 66th minute. The visitors did not give in, their lead continued to be superior to the rival.

Quesada’s team were brave and risked two penalty shots on the penultimate play to tie the match, but Lowe, after cutting off a pass from Ioane at his own 22, had the last chance. However, after a blow in which the locals decided to play on the wing with time already up, the referee whistled the end of the exciting match.

– Technical sheet:

20 – Ireland: Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson, McCarthy, Ryan, Izuchukwu, Doris, Conan; Casey; Sam Prendergast; Lowe, McCloskey, Ringrose, Baulocoune, Osborne. Furlong, Kelleher, Beirne, Gibson-Park, Crowley, Edogbo, Timoney and O’Toole also played

13 – Italy: Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Niccolò Cannone, Zambonin, Lamaro, Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone; Fusco, Paolo Garbisi; Ioane, Marin, Menoncello, Lynagh and Pani. Alessandro Garbisi, Ruzza, Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Favretto, Odiase and Odogwu also played.

Marker: 5-0, min.17: Osborne try. 5-3, min.21, Garbisi hit. 5-10, min.32: try by Niccotera, which Garbisi passes. 10-10, min.43: Conan rehearsal. 17-10, min.58, Baulocoune try, which Crowley passes. 20-10, min 63: Crowley hit. 20-13, min.67: blow that Garbisi passes.

Referee: Hollie Davidson, from Scotland. He showed Lynagh yellow in the 11th minute, for Italy; and Casey, in 32, for Ireland

Incidents: match of the second day of the 2026 Six Nations played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Full. Davidson became the first woman to officiate a men’s Six Nations match.