McGann stars as Irish thrash Italy in Six Nations

Anna McGann scored a hat-trick of tries as Ireland ended a run of two Six Nations defeats to Italy in terrific style on Sunday thrashing the Italians 54-12 in Parma.

Ireland's first away win in the competition since 2021 featured eight tries and lifted them to third in the table after two matches.

The Italians have yet to accrue a point and are rooted to the bottom.

A big away W in Italy! 😍#IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/nde15gwyOt

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 30, 2025

England and France had posted emphatic victories on Saturday – over Wales and Scotland respectively – to remain on course for a mouthwatering Grand Slam deciding climax on April 26 at Twickenham.

Table-topping England will be hot favourites for a seventh successive Women's Six Nations title and fourth consecutive Grand Slam after their 67-12 rout of Wales.

The French, the last team to beat England in the championship back in 2018, also made it two wins with a 38-15 success at home to Scotland.

The Irish got off to a dream start running in two converted tries with their hosts reduced to 14 players – lock Valeria Fedrighi sin-binned for a high tackle.

Italy hit back with a try of their own through Sofia Stefan although Michela Sillari failed to convert.

The Irish, though, added another try Amee-Leigh Costigan running it in down the wing, Dannah O'Brien converting to put the visitors 21-5 up after just 20 minutes.

They were running riot.

Five minutes later McGann rounded off a superb backline move to secure the bonus point with her second try of the match, O'Brien converting for 28-5.

Four first half tries and we lead at the break! 🙌#IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/6aWjKW4a8l

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 30, 2025

Any hopes of a remarkable Italian comeback were extinguished 14 minutes into the second-half, tighthead prop Linda Djougang scoring Ireland's fifth try. O'Brien's trusty boot added the extras for 35-5.

It was a stark contrast to her performance in the opening loss to France when she missed all three conversion attempts.

Djougang was to be sin-binned shortly after her try but got the benefit of the doubt regarding a 20-minute red card offence.

Italy's misery was compounded when Dorothy Wall tumbled over to score another Irish try, though this time O'Brien missed her conversion.

The ruthless Irish added two further tries, McGann appropriately rounding it off with her third.