Jerry Flannery and Tommy Bowe both scored tries with the boot of fly-half Ronan O'Gara doing the rest, although Mirco Bergamasco's try was the least the Italians deserved.

It was a very tough game. We probably didnt play that well but they played very well, the Munster lock told BBC1.

They put us under a lot of pressure. We are going to have to make a big step up next week against France.

In some ways they (Italy) have a very strong 22 players and they can rival anyone.

We met them in our first game and they were mightily pumped up. We were miles off where our ambitions are but next week hopefully we can turn things around and put in a big performance.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said: Our performance didn't disturb me. It was a tough game and Italy played very well. We struggled to get on the front foot and played behind the gainline.

It was an ugly game of rugby by any standards but that's the way it turned out. It was a hard day at the office.

Italy skipper Marco Bortolami was delighted by the Azzurri's gritty performance, despite their defeat.

Bortolami claimed it was evidence they are catching up with the rest of the RBS 6 Nations, after taking an early lead.

The backs were very strong in defence and were very good in moving the ball, he said.

We faced the best centres in the world but played at the same level. If we continue to play like this the gap will close.

Italy opened the scoring through centre Mirco Bergamasco but Ireland hit back through Jerry Flannery and Bowe with the boot of Ronan O'Gara doing the rest.