One, two, three for Dan Sheehan.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Just on Dan Sheehan, only the electric Louis Bielle-Biarey has scored more tries than him in this championship.

His hat-trick today brought him up to five tries in this tournament, just two shy of Bielle-Biarey.

He's not just a maul machine, either. He scores tries from all sorts of situations.

What a player.

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan speaking on ITV 1: "Happy with five points, we probably needed a bit more points difference.

"I think they went after our breakdown quite well and we lacked accuracy, there was a lot of dropped balls.

"Fair play to Italy, I thought their gameplan worked well and they put us under pressure.

"We got five points and it's up to the other teams now."

On returning after his summer ACL injury: "I'm delighted to be back playing rugby in the big games like this.

"A big Saturday at the end of the Six Nations, to be here is great.

"It's great to be sharing the pitch with three legends of Irish Rugby and Irish sport in Pete [O'Mahony], Church [Cian Healy] and Mur [Conor Murray]."

Sergio Parisse
Former Italy number eight on ITV

The result is flattering for Italy as [Jack] Crowley missed a few points.

Image source, Getty Images

The Irish players could hardly watch in the closing stages. I don't blame them one bit.

Brian O'Driscoll
Former Ireland captain on ITV1

Was it a championship winning performance?: In a word, no.

Stay tuned for reaction from the Irish camp, by the way.

Chris Henry
Former Ulster & Ireland flanker on BBC Radio Ulster

Relief for Ireland and disappointment for Italy who were in it until the end.

Credit to Italy for their performance but Ireland just didn't look at the races today.

It is a strange feeling for the Irish fans because they've got the win, but it looked like they were coasting and that almost cost them against an impressive Italian side.

Here's a look at the standings with just two matches remaining.

Will and England respond?

With the points difference, England just need a win, even without a bonus point, to finish above Ireland.

It wasn't entirely convincing, but Ireland are now back on top of the Six Nations table.

England can change all that if they can battle past Wales at 16:45 GMT, and then all eyes will be on Paris as , who led the way heading into this weekend, host Scotland at 20:00 GMT.

That's a scrappy, scrappy win. But it's job done in Rome for Ireland.

Image source, Getty Images

Giacomo Nicotera is sent to the bin for a bunker review. It was a reckless hit on Peter O'Mahony, not on Jack Boyle as we origianlly thought.

That's sucked any Italian momentum out of this one.

We're having one final visit to the TMO. Why not? He's been the busiest man in Rome today.

It's for a nasty clear out on O'Mahony by Giacomo Nicotera, who definitely made with the head of the retiring Irish legend.

That was the chance.

Capuozzo almost works his magic and he races out on the wing. He tries to offload, but it's in to touch.

Ireland will have the throw.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy have it but are pushed back to halfway.

One. Minute. To. Play.

This is so tense.

James Lowe somehow grabs the ball out of the air.

Italy were in a great position but have't been clinical in the 22.

We're into the final two minutes.

There's more scrappy play and Italy have it in the Irish half!

Leonardo Marin fires into the 22 with a superb run.

Italy couldn't - or could they?!

Ireland's momentum slams to a halt as Sam Prendergast's it overthrown and over the head of Gus McCarthy, who was on the wing.

Chris Henry
Former Ulster & Ireland flanker on BBC Radio Ulster

Ireland looking nervous and I think the whole stadium is on the edge of their seats.

It has been so back-and-forth and there's a real sense that there might be a last-gasp attempt from this Italian team.

There's enough time left and Ireland need to contain them and be sensible about managing the last few minutes.