Ireland scored two tries in a minute to set up a comfortable 26-3 win over Italy in their opening fixture in this year's Six Nations championship.

The home side defended hard to ensure that the defending champions did not get an early try on the board, but Ian Keatley managed to open up a nine-point lead with three penalties.

Kelly Haimona got Italy off the mark just before the break, converting a penalty after an Ireland infringement.

Chances continued to remain at a premium after the restart, but Conor Murray finally managed to add the first try of the match, scooping the ball up from a lineout to pile over.

Ireland needed just a minute to add their second as Tommy O'Donnell made the most of Leonardo Ghiraldini being sent to the sin bin to burst through a gap and give the visitors a healthy winning margin.