Live Commentary: Ireland 16-9 Italy - as it happened

Good afternoon! Ireland will be looking to maintain their 100% record so far at the Rugby World Cup with another win, facing an Italian side that have been below par in their first two outings. Let's start with a look at the teams.

IRELAND STARTING XV: Zebo, Bowe, Earls, Henshaw, Kearney, Sexton, Murray, McGrath, Best, Ross, Henderson, O'Connell, O'Mahony, O'Brien, Heaslip

ITALY STARTING XV: McLean, Sarto, Campagnaro, Garcia, Venditti, Allan, Goru, Aguero, Manici, Cittadini, Geldenhuys, Furno, Minto, Favaro, Parisse

The good news for Italy is that Sergio Parisse is back to captain the side, having missed the first two fixtures of the tournament with a calf injury. Ireland are still missing Rob Kearney, so Simon Zebo continues at full-back, but Robbie Henshaw is fit enough to return at centre.

Ireland have been one of the best-supported sides at this tournament so far, and it looks like there's going to be plenty of support for the Six Nations champions again today:

We've taken over the Olympic Stadium #ShoulderToShoulder #RWC2015 #BestSupportersEver Thank You! pic.twitter.com/ogL9eEIlkH — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 4, 2015

The players make their way out at the Olympic Stadium ahead of kickoff. It's absolutely packed at the ground, and the crowd erupt into life as the players walk out.

As always, the anthems for both countries are played ahead of kickoff. Both teams look really psyched as they belt out the Italian national anthem followed by Ireland's Call. The anthems simply confirm how many Irish supporters are in the stadium, as they really make themselves heard as kickoff approaches.

KICKOFF! Italy get the match underway.

Parisse gets involved early on as Ireland give away a lineout, which the captain takes in the air for the Azzurri. McLean and Garcia both get touches as the Italians try to put Ireland under pressure early on.

This has been a really lively start from the Italians, with Tommasso Allan and Gori putting a string of quick passes together in the middle, before the ball is put into touch. There's an early injury concern for Italy though as Gonzalo Garcia has picked up a leg injury, so hobbles off, with Tommasi Benvenuti taking his place.

Ireland have barely had a touch in the opening five minutes, as Gori gets involved again before passing to Manici on his left. The hooker uses his size to power forward, but Campagnaro gives away a penalty, allowing Jonny Sexton to kick it away from danger for Ireland.

Ireland are in Italian territory for the first time, and quickly try to make the most of their position, with Sexton making an impressive run down the left, before Zebo looks to batter his way through the Italy defence, but the Irish side are being made to wait for their opportunity.

Iain Henderson and Rory Best are both tackled short as they try to run over from close range, but Ireland have a penalty advantage so come back for the kick, and it's an easy effort from Jonny Sexton to get the first points of the game on the board for Ireland.

Ireland are surging forward again with Rory Best running the ball back into Italy territory before Jack McGrath looks to slip through the middle, but he can't break off the tackle off Favaro.

The ball is knocked on by Ireland, giving Italy the first scrum of the match. Campagnaro weaves his way to the sideline, and just keeps himself out of touch. After winning a lineout, the Azzurri try to drive towards the Ireland line, before Allan gets it in the middle. Italy are looking really impressive so far.

Benvenuti slices it back out wide for Campagnaro, but Gori loses it forward. However, there's a tackle while Gori is off his feet, so Italy will have a chance to level the scores.

Parisse is showing no signs of rustiness after missing the first couple of matches of the tournament, but Ireland pile into him in the maul, forcing the ball out of the Italy captain's hands.

Ireland have the put in at the scrum, and Connor Murray tries to sprint down the right before kicking it forward, with Zebo and Bowe both giving chase, but it goes into touch.

Ireland certainly haven't had it all their own way in the opening 20 minutes, but a brilliant pass out wide from Bowe gets up Earls, who has plenty of space ahead of him, allowing him to casually job over in between the posts for his eighth Rugby World Cup try.

Ireland are passing the ball around with ease as they look to set up another try-scoring opportunity, but Italy get the turnover, allowing Parisse to lead the counter-attack with a weaving run back into Ireland territory, and get a penalty when Paul O'Connell is penalised for not rolling away after tackling Josh Furno.

Former Scotland Under-20 international Tommasso Allan takes his second kick of the game, and it's another one straight through the uprights from near the right sideline, keeping Italy in striking distance of their opponents.

Italy have an incredibly fluid passing style as Parisse goes wide to Allan, before the fly-half spots Sarto charging down the right.

Italy are awarded a penalty, but they elect to go for a lineout just short of the try line rather than going for the posts again. However, Manici's throw is too long, allowing Paul O'Connell to steal it for Ireland. Italy are scrambling as they rush to get back to defend, but they do just enough to half the run of Henderson.

Ireland try to make the most of a well-taken lineout on the half-way line as Bowe, Henshaw and Zebo all get touches, before the fly-half is tackled just short of the Italy 22. Ireland haven't had as much of the ball as their opponents, but they have been much more clinical with the possession that they have had.

There's a bit of confusion as Kearney is tackled and lifted by his legs by Matias Aguero. In previous years, that would have been a yellow card offence, but the referee is happy that there was no malice intended, so he's just giving the penalty.

MISSED PENALTY! Sexton lines up the penalty, looking to add three more points to Ireland's score, but the fly-half's effort bounces back off the left upright, and Parisse is there straight away to claim possession back for Italy.

Italy win a scrum as a result of a maul, allowing Gori to get the ball at the back before passing to Allan, who in turn launches Campagnaro down the right, but he's brought down, before Gori finds his path blocked down the other side.

Ireland finally get back in Italy territory, with Sexton passing to Zebo, but the full-back is quickly bundled to the ground. Sexton and Bowe both get involved as the ball is worked to the right sideline, but Italy scramble across to keep the Six Nations champions out.

Ireland have a penalty following an offside and they play to the crowd, kicking to the corner rather than taking the three points. It's knocked forward as Ireland try to force their way over for a second try though, so it's a scrum for Italy on their own five-metre line. It's still a difficult situation for Italy though, as they could find themselves further behind if they lose the ball here.

Italy keep their heads in the scrum though, as Connor Murray is tricked into a shove on Edoardo Gori, gifting Italy a penalty, which is quickly kicked into Irish territory.

Andrea Manici's lineout is loose, giving Keith Earls the ball, but he's just caught from behind before he can sprint away for another try.

So at the break, it's Keith Earl's try that splits the sides, with the centre diving over midway through the period. A brace of penalties from Tomasso Allan keep Italy in contention though.

In the opening 40 minutes, there was nothing to separate the two sides in terms of possession, but Ireland had marginally more territory, with 55%. Michele Campagnaro has made more metres than any other player in the first half though, with 44 metres for Italy.

Defensively, Italy have looked strong, making 68 tackles to Ireland 56, but with six missed tackles, they've missed twice as many as their opponents, who have also forced one more turnover. Simone Favaro has made more tackles than any other player though.

Here's Ireland scrum-half Connor Murray in action in the first half.

© Getty Images

The players are heading back out ready for the start of the second half at the Olympic Stadium.

RESTART! Jonny Sexton gets the second half underway.

Zebo has the ball, and passes to Tommy Bowe on his left, but the Italians get the penalty as McGrath loses his footing, allowing Allan to kick the ball to the Ireland 22. If Italy can score first in the second half, they will certainly give their opponents something to think about.

Ireland quickly regain possession, with Zebo and Henderson patiently making their way forward, but Italy aren't leaving many openings for their opponents to run through, so Sexton kicks it forward for an Italy lineout.

Parisse wins the ball in the air and passes to Allan, but the fly-half's kick forward it charged down by Henderson, allowing Ireland to drive the ball back towards the Italy 22.

Despite passing the ball around quickly to try to find a way through for a second try, Ireland come up short, with McLean kicking it out from the back. Ireland get the ball back moments later though, stealing possession from an Italy lineout.

Parisse gets it back for Italy, leaving Allan and McLean to power down the right. The Azzurri suddenly change direction, leaving Parisse to set up Josh Furno for a lunge at the line, but Peter O'Mahoney really commits to the tackle, dragging him into touch short.

Matias Aguero has the ball for Italy, and gets some support as the Azzurri drive the ball forward, before he passes across to Gori. It's eventually knocked loose, but Italy have the penalty advantage.

An offside in the buildup gives Italy the penalty, and Allan continues his 100% record today, curling it around to put it straight through the middle of the posts, reducing Ireland's advantage to a single point.

The Irish supporters are doing everything they can to try to get their side back on the front foot, and it seems to be working as Paul O'Connell runs at the Italy line, looking to move the team back into Italian territory.

Best looks to get the ball to Zebo on the wing, but he eventually runs it himself, before passing inside the Murray. Sexton tries to kick it forward, and the ball hangs in the air for a long time, but his teammates can't get their hands to it.

Jonny Sexton is made to wait before taking his kick, as the crowd is a little excitable, but the fly-half's concentration is unshakable as he boots it through with ease.

Tommy Bowe makes a stunning take in the air to win the ball back for Ireland, before Murray, Sexton and Earls get the ball out from right to left following a scrum. Italy are just starting to show a few signs of fatigue, and know that a try now would be a big blow for the Azzurri.

Ireland are unable to keep their passing alive, but a penalty advantage remains, so Sexton boots the ball through the posts again. The fly-half now has 11 points this evening.

Italy haven't given up on this match yet, as Gori, McLean and Allan try to get back into Ireland territory. 91% of the game has taken place in Italy's half of the pitch in the last 10 minutes, but Parisse breaks through to get the ball into Ireland territory.

Italy are making a couple of changes, and they're actually taking off two of their best players so far this evening. Parisse's departure isn't too much of a surprise, with the captain only just back from injury, but it's a bit of a surprise to see Tomasso Allan make way for Carlo Canna.

MISSED PENALTY! No sooner has Canna come off the bench than he's being pointed in the direction of the posts. It's a long-range effort for the replacement after an illegal use of hands penalty against Best, but the youngster's kick doesn't have the distance.

From a lineout, Ireland try to use the maul to move the ball towards Italy 22. Murray gets it at the back, and kicks it forward, but it goes straight into touch. Italy are still only a converted try behind.

Ireland have a scrum, allowing Murray to kick the ball out in the direction of Bowe, who is committed as he gives chase, but he can't quite reach it in time.

SIN BIN! Peter O'Mahoney is going to miss the final few minutes of the match as he's shown a yellow card for a shoulder charge on Josh Furno. He looks a little surprised to see the card.

Facing the final eight minutes a man short, Ireland defend hard as they try to stop Italy making metres, forcing an error from the Italians, which results in a scrum for Ireland, but the Azzurri swiftly get the ball back, as Ireland are penalised for collapsing the scrum.

The Italian lineout is an absolute shambles, with no organisation or shape, which leaves Chris Henry to grab the ball back for Ireland.

Simon Zebo has it for Ireland, and launches it across the pitch to Fitzgerald, who has only just come on.

MISSED PENALTY! Jonny Sexton has a chance to win it for Ireland, lining up a penalty well within his range, but the fly-half mis-cues, curling it beyond the left post.

It certainly wasn't a pretty match, but Ireland have done just enough to secure their third win at the tournament, setting up a showdown with France for top spot in Pool D next Sunday.

So, that's all from this match, but don't forget to catch up on all the action from the world cup on our Rugby World Cup page, and join us again on Tuesday when the tournament continues. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.