Ireland Women Thrash Italy 57-20 in Front of Record Galway Crowd
Ireland's women's rugby team produced a stunning performance to defeat Italy 57-20 in the Guinness Women's Six Nations at Dexcom Stadium in Galway yesterday, with Béibhinn Parsons scoring a first-half hat-trick in front of a record crowd of 9,206 — the largest ever attendance for an Ireland women's home match.
The emphatic victory, Ireland's second fixture of the 2026 championship, was a statement of intent from Scott Bemand's side, who ran in nine tries in a dominant display that delighted the record-breaking Galway crowd.
Background
The match was the first Guinness Women's Six Nations fixture to be played in Galway, marking a significant moment for women's rugby in the west of Ireland. Ireland had opened their campaign with a 33-12 defeat to England in London, making yesterday's performance all the more impressive as a response.
Key Developments
Béibhinn Parsons, the local west coast star, was the standout performer, scoring three tries in the first half and earning the Player of the Match award. Ireland led 45-10 at half-time, with the home side's pace and power proving too much for the Italian defence.
Other try-scorers for Ireland included Emily Lane, Aoife Wafer, Robyn O'Connor, Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, and Brittany Hogan, with Dannah O'Brien converting several. Aoife Wafer, playing at No. 8, was also outstanding, making 84 metres from 12 carries and completing eight tackles in 52 minutes.
Italy scored through Vittoria Vecchini, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Veronica Madia, and Alyssa D'inca, with D'inca's try securing a bonus point for the visitors in a more competitive second half.
Why It Matters
The record attendance of 9,206 in Galway demonstrates the growing popularity of women's rugby in Ireland and the appetite for top-level sport in the west of the country. The result also keeps Ireland's championship hopes alive as they prepare for a challenging trip to France.
What's Next
Ireland travel to France for their next Six Nations fixture, a match that carries additional significance following a previous World Cup quarter-final defeat to the French. Ireland's remaining home fixtures include Wales at Affidea Stadium in Belfast on 9 May and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 17 May.
Read the full match report at Six Nations Rugby.
