Live Commentary: Ireland 46-7 Italy - as it happened

Good afternoon! It's just half an hour until Ireland will begin their Six Nations match against Italy, with both desperate for the win. Ireland know that defeat today would end their chances of winning the championship, while the visitors are trying to avoid the wooden spoon. Let's start with a look at the team's for this afternoon's game...

IRELAND STARTING XV: R Kearney, Trimble, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, D Kearney, Sexton, Murray, Healy, Best, Ross, Toner, O'Connell, Henderson, Henry, Heaslip

ITALY STARTING XV: McLean, Esposito, Campagnaro, Garcia, Sarto, Orquero, Tebaldi, De Marchi, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Geldenhuys, Bortolami, Furno, Derbyshire, Barbieri

IRELAND REPLACEMENTS: Cronin, McGrath, Moore, Ruddock, Murphy, Reddan, Jackson, McFadden

ITALY REPLACEMENTS: Giazzon, Rizzo, Cittadini, Pavanello, Vosawai, Gori, Allan, Masi

Ireland have made just the one change to the side that lost at Twickenham a fortnight ago. Peter O'Mahony misses out with a hamstrong injury, with Iain Henderson taking hia place. It's sure to be an emotional day for Brian O'Driscoll, who is playing his final home match as an international before he retires.

The big news for the visitors is that captain Sergio Parisse is being rested with a calf strain. He's been one of the Italians' best players in this year's tournament, and will be a big loss. Alessandro Zanni, who had featured in the last 58 matches for the visitors, also misses out with a knee sprain. In Parisse's absence, Marco Bortolami will captain the side.

Ahead of this afternoon's match, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt told reporters: "One of the good things is that we've got a very smart group of men who play the game and I think we can very quickly change the shape of what we're doing and we've demonstrated that we can play a few different ways so far in the tournament. We can change that up a little if we need to in the last 20 or 30 minutes, or it may be at half-time we get together and maybe change a few things. You can try overly hard and in the end it's very difficult to make things come off. So we've got to be patient, we've got to be really well prepared individually and as a collective because they are going to make it really tough and if we're not up to it they've proven that they can easily get results."

Despite their defeat last time out, Ireland remain at the top of the Six Nations table heading into this weekend's round of fixtures. It's still all to play for this year, with England, Wales and France all level on points with Ireland.

The players are already making their way out for this afternoon's match. With two national anthems and the Irish rugby anthem to get through, the pre-match formalities in Dublin do take a little longer than at some other grounds.

Brian O'Driscoll heads out ahead of the rest of his team for his 140th international cap, and his final appearance in green in front of his own fans. Naturally, he's met by a huge cheer from the crowd.

While O'Driscoll's achievements will more than likely hog the headlines today, it's also a big day for Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni, as he becomes the Azzurri's most capped player, making his 105th appearance for the national side.

Don't forget, this is just the first of three Six Nations matches this weekend. Later today, we'll have live coverage of Scotland's meeting with France, while tomorrow Wales travel to Twickenham to take on England.

Right then, that's all of the anthems, handshakes and photos out of the way. Just one final piece of information, Welshman Nigel Owens is the referee today.

KICKOFF! Italy get the match underway!

It's a positive start for Ireland as they immediately get the ball. The home side win a lineout, which Best delivers to O'Connell, before O'Driscoll collects it from a pass and charges down the centre of the pitch, and the already pretty lively crowd erupt as their talisman gets the ball.

Italy have not touched the ball since the kickoff, and have allowed Ireland into their territory. However, the visitors manage to intercept a pass intended for D'Arcy when Orquera bursts out from the back for Italy. Meanwhile, the home fans will be worried to see Rory Best seeking attention from the physio.

Jonny Sexton collects the ball from O'Driscoll and sprints away from the Italians for the opening try of the match. There's a moment of worry, as the fly-half appears to have winded himself after colliding with Sarto behind the goalposts, but the referee rules that there is no foul.

Martin Castrogiovanni's record-breaking appearance for Italy has been a brief one, as their new most-capped player has to go off injured, with Lorenzo Cittadini coming in for the Azzurri.

Ireland are immediately on the attack again, as Rob Kearney finds younger brother Dave, who breaks of a couple of tackles to move the ball towards the halfway line. However, Orquera wins it back again for Italy, and they look to catch their opponents out with a quick counter attack, but Chris Henry manager to force Campagnaro into touch.

Orquera has been busy for the visitors so far. He has the ball again as Italy try to get the ball out wide, making a quick pass for Ghiraldini. However, Ireland quickly get the defence in line, and the visitors are forced to look for another way through.

Esposito tries to drive forward for the visitors, but is forced to ground. Orquero gets it free, but Ireland manage to steal it back. This has been a fast-paced open start to this match.

Sexton charges towards Italian territory as he looked for his second try of the match, but he's just stopped by a De Marchi tackle. Heaslip gathers before passing to Trimble, who eventually knocks on just a few metres from the try line to give the visitors the penalty. That was a brilliant high-tempo move from the home side, but the mistake cost them.

Ireland manage to get the ball back inside Italian territory with a steal in the linout. Healy tries to power through the visitors' defence, but another knock on lets Italy off the hook.

Ireland have to make a change as scrum-half Connor Murray makes his way slowly to the sideline. Eoin Reddan comes on in his place. Meanwhile, an initial assessment of Castrogiovanni's injury by the Italian team's trainers suggest that he has broken a couple of ribs, which will end his tournament.

The home side are in full control at the moment, but are possibly trying to move the ball a bit too quick, resulting a few costly errors. Heaslip is waiting for the ball out wide just a couple of metres short of the try line, but a wild pass goes in to touch for an Italy lineout.

Ireland manage to force a lineout of their own, which sees O'Driscoll gain possession. He passes to Reddan, who tries to squeeze his way through, but he's just held by the Italians. Paul O'Connell picked it up, but spilled inside the final five metres, allowing Italy to survive yet again.

Italy really haven't done much in terms of attacking play yet, but their defence looks very organised, and their certainly getting the run of the ball inside their 10-metre line. If Ireland don't make the most of this dominant spell of possession, the visitors could punish them for it when they do get the ball.

Once again it's Orquera with the steal for Italy, snatching it away following an Irish lineout. He hands it off to De Marchi, before the visitors earn themselves a scrum.

Tebaldi tries to pass to McLean following the scrum, but he appears to lose the ball as he releases it, and the fly half is force to kick it away.

The visitors manage to steal it away with another turnover, and Leonardo Sarto immediately spots a gap down the line. Rob Kearney tries to force him in to touch, but he's too strong, and takes it all the way for the try. That's a fantastic try for the Azzurri.

Ireland have a chance to get back in front straight away here with a try in Italy's territory, given away by an Orquera knock on.

Reddan shows amazing pace after winning the ball from the scrum, as well as stunning footwork to evade a couple of tackle. He's eventually brought down inches short of the tryline. That's woken the crowd up a bit!

An offside gives Ireland a penalty, which Sexton elects to kick at the posts.

The reliable fly-half easily chips it over to put Ireland back in front, but they'll be disappointed not to have got a second try, having come so close to the line.

Ireland appear to forget to watch McLean, who manages to dart up the middle for the visitors, dancing around O'Connell before eventually being stopped by Reddan.

Rob Kearney makes a superb run from inside his own half to the Italian 20-metre line with help from Reddan, who blocked a couple of Italian tackles on the way. He's eventually brought down, but Rory Best is there in support. This is a good chance for the home side the extend their lead before the break.

De Marchi forced the turnover and passes to Sarto, but he loses it to O'Connell after moving it just a couple of metres away. O'Connell needs treatment, but the action carries on around him.

Andrew Trimble scores Ireland's second try of the game, taking a pass from O'Driscoll out wide before darting inside and diving over. The Italians may have been disrupted by the Irish medics, who were in the middle of treating O'Connell while play continued around them.

Despite the wide angle, it looks simple again for Sexton as he puts Ireland 10 points ahead.

McLean takes the ball out of play for Italy, which will end the first half.

Ireland fans who are bidding farewell to Brian O'Driscoll is his final home international won't be disappointed with his performance so far this afternoon. He made the passes that set up both of the try scorers to leave the hosts 10 point ahead at half time.

Ireland dominated the possession and created the majority of the chances, but could have had a much bigger lead, having squandered a number of chances.

Italy haven't really done anything wrong, but they haven't seen enough of the ball. However, when they have had the ball, Ireland have looked stretched defending against the lively visitors.

The players are making their way back out ready for the second half.

Ireland get the match back underway.

It's a bright start for the home side as Ireland quickly win a lineout, and drive 20 metres forward, before picking up a penalty when Italy come in from the side, allowing Sexton to boot the ball downfield.

Ireland are starting to look dangerous as they bear down on the Italy try line again, but they give the ball away when Sexton is penalised for offside.

Healy gathers from a McLean kick. He passes out side to Heaslip but Italy force another turnover. Their defence really has been efficient this afternoon. Orquera runs at the Irish, but it stopped by O'Driscoll.

The two captains get into a bit of a scuffle, before Tebaldi drags O'Connell away. Referee Nigel Owens warns them both top cut it out, before asking to check the replays to see whether he needs to take further action.

Tebaldi gets penalised for coming in from the side. Sexton thinks about taking the three points, but decides to kick for the lineout to give the home side a chance of securing their third try of the match.

Italy force Ireland into a ruck from the lineout, before Henderson tries to take it out wide. The visitors continue to defend well though and force a scrum.

Ireland get the ball back inside Italy territory, with Heaslip and O'Connell both charging at the Italy defence. O'Driscoll looks out wide for Trimble, but he's stopped short.

O'Connell is stopped short again, but Healy limps up behind him before powering his way over the line. That will be his last contribution to the match, as he hobbles to the sideline straight away.

MISSED CONVERSION! Sexton fails to add the two additional points with his first miss of the meeting.

Rob Kearney gets the home side on the move again, before D'Arcy and Cronin both have touches, but Italy keep them inside their own territory.

Italy have their first real possession of half, but lose out to O'Driscoll. However, the cap record holder hits the ground in pain, leading to silence around the ground. There's a big cheer a few moments later though, as he manages to get back to his feet after a bit of attention from the trainers.

O'Driscoll is immediately back in the action as he dashes towards the try line before being blocked by Ghilardini. However, he makes a superb hand off out wide for Heaslip, who in turn finds Sexton for the fly-half's second try of the day.

MISSED CONVERSION! It's another miss for the fly-half, but he probably won't mind, having already added 17 points today.

REPLACEMENT! Brian O'Driscoll exits the game to a standing ovation for the final time in Dublin, as Fergus McFadden enters the match in his place.

After scoring two tries, kicking two conversions and a penalty, Sexton's day is done, as Paddy Jackson takes over at fly-half.

Ireland can sense blood as they head into the final 15 minutes of this match. They know that a big win will send a message to France ahead of their showdown in Paris next weekend as they run at the Italian defence again, looking for their fifth try of the day.

Ireland patiently work their way to within two metres before Chris Henry looks to carry it over, but he's stopped short. Ireland still have possession though.

Sean Cronin gets the ball from Henry and charges over in the corner. It leaves Jackson with a long conversion attempt to follow though.

It's a fantastic first kick of the day by Paddy Jackson to give the home side a mighty lead. With the best part of 10 minutes still to play, this could get quite uncomfortable for the Azzurri.

Italy are having a prolonged spell inside Irish territory, but they seem to have lost the determination that earned them a try in the first half.

Italy's attack comes to nothing and Ireland quickly get back into the visitors' territory through a Jackson kick. It doesn't look like the home side are settling for their 27-point lead.

Jackson helps protect the ball as McGrath carries it forward, this is looking like a dangerous move for the hosts.

Ireland have certainly shaken off the problems that cost them a few try-scoring opportunities in the first half as Fergus McFadden sprints over for their sixth try of the afternoon.

Ireland look like they might get another as Trimble chips the ball forward and chases it, but he can't get it down. However, the hosts have a penalty.

Heaslip takes the penalty quickly to set up Jack McGrath for another Ireland try. What an emphatic second half performance this has been.

MISSED CONVERSION! Paddy Jackson can't add the conversion, but it doesn't stop this being an impressive win for the hosts.

After a promising first half hour from the Italians, Ireland ultimately proved too strong, crushing the visitors to the Aviva Stadium to keep their chances of claiming the Six Nations title alive.

The win gives Ireland a strong chance of holding on to top spot in the table for another week, having already had the best points difference of any of the teams tied on four points.

That's all from this match, but stick around as we'll have live coverage from Scotland's match against France coming up shortly. Until them, thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.