Mack Hansen's late second half try ensured that Ireland remain unbeaten in the Six Nations on course for a Grand Slam after bruising encounter in Rome.

We knew it would be tough and the Italians made it a strong test in the Stadio Olimpico, a wobbly second half was put to bed by Hansen as he crossed in the final ten minuets to wrap up the away win.

The bonus point was wrapped up in the opening half as James Ryan, Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki and Hansen all crossed in a strong showing,, but the Italians composure and fighting spirit never made it easy.

Ireland had a great chance early, Bundee Aki offloaded for Josh Van der Flier, he found Hugo Keenan who passed to Lowe, he got over but dropped it before grounding, TMO had a good long look at it and the call of 'Clear separation' was the decision no try.

Seconds Ireland worked it well on the same side, Aki involved again as passed it to Lowe, he looked to the line again but James Ryan made a lovely support run and got the offload to run in for the try, Ross Byrne pulled the conversion wide.

Four minutes later and a great reply by the Italians, ball through the hands and Lorenzo Cannone made all the ground before Stephen Varney picked from the bottom of the ruck and dived over to score, Paolo Garbisi slotted the conversion beautifully to put the hosts ahead.

Italy played some attractive rugby after the try, but 13 minutes gone, Aki made a great burst in the centre, after lovely hands from Mack Hansen, Keenan burst through a couple of Italian tackles to touch down under the posts, Byrne this time making the mark Ireland ahead 12-7.

Craig Casey looked to have made a great cover to stop an Italian break down the line but the referee awarded a penalty, little harsh on the scrum half but Garbisi added the three from the tee. 

Just a short while later and again went Ireland, Ross Byrne involved in the build up, he found Van der Flier quick hands to Lowe, it came to Aki and he was able to ground it one-handed in the corner. Byrne nailed the extras and a little bit of a lead built for the visitors.

Phase after phase as the hits went in both drove on, the minutes were ticking by and after 35 minutes the bonus point was on the way home as a souvenir from Rome, Ireland tapped and went from a penalty, they get close, Casey threw it wide and the intercept, saw them go again and this time Hansen found room in the corner. Byrne missed but Ireland ahead 24-10.

The Irish were on an all out attack as the half almost drew to a conclusion, Aki tried to play a pass for Lowe but Pierre Bruno spotted the attempted pass and intercepted before running 70 yards under the posts, Garbisi converted and Ireland’s half time lead was seven points.

Into the second half and it was getting cagey, Garbisi pointed to the posts after Ireland were penalised again, the gap down to four as Italy had their tails up, Harry Byrne would reply with a penalty of his own to push it back out to seven after 65.

The final quarter was where the Irish really out the tie to bed, Byrne;s penalty had them confident and after 71 minutes, Hansen got in under the posts after a super offload by Murray in the build-up, Aki had a try ruled out before the hour mark by the TMO but this one stood and Byrne made it a 14 point lead, not the perfect result but a bonus point win is what they aim was heading to the Italian capital.