Beibhinn Parsons delivered a stunning hat-trick performance as Ireland dominated Italy 57-20 in a thrilling Women's Six Nations clash at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. The home side scored nine tries in total, securing their first win of the tournament before a record crowd of 9,206 spectators.
Ireland wasted no time asserting their dominance, with scrum-half Emily Lane opening the scoring just five minutes into the match. Despite a quick response from Italy's Vittoria Vecchini, the Irish side maintained relentless pressure, securing their bonus point within the first 23 minutes of play.
Parsons, the Galway-born winger who missed last year's tournament due to injury, showcased her exceptional talent with three brilliant finishes. Her performance electrified the home crowd and demonstrated Ireland's attacking prowess after their opening-round loss to England.
"Having taken our slow start against England to heart, we were determined to come out strong today," said Ireland head coach Scott Bemand. "The players executed our game plan perfectly and showed what this team is capable of."
Aoife Wafer, who struggled to make an impact against England, redeemed herself with a powerful performance that included a try and several key contributions. Debutant Robyn O'Connor also marked her first international appearance with a try, while Ellena Perry scored her first Six Nations try.
Italy showed resilience throughout the match, with Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi scoring a spectacular breakaway try and Veronica Madia and Alyssa D'Inca adding second-half scores to secure a valuable bonus point for the visitors.
The victory moves Ireland up to third place in the Six Nations standings, while Italy remains at the bottom of the table. The record attendance at Connacht's newly redeveloped stadium signals growing support for women's rugby in Ireland as the team looks ahead to their remaining fixtures.