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.

Dan Sheehan stars as Ireland sign off with slim success over Italy - Simon Easterby’s side stuttered to victory in Rome before their hopes of a third consecutive Six Nations title ended.

Dan Sheehan has opened up after Ireland beat Italy 22-17 in Rome to boost their chances of winning the Six Nations. The visitors had gone into the showdown knowing they needed to secure victory to keep their dreams of glory alive,