Vittoria Vecchini inspired Italy with two tries in their 27-21 win against Ireland in the Women's Six Nations on Sunday.

Vecchini powered over for her first score from close range in the 25th minute.

She repeated the trick in the second half following a superb break from Alyssa D'Inca at the RDS Arena in Dublin.

Ireland had taken an early lead when Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi was adjudged to have committed a deliberate knock-on and sent to the sin bin, referee Hollie Davidson awarding the home side a penalty try.

However, Vecchini's two tries and further scores from Valeria Fedrighi and winger Aura Muzzo turned the game in the visitors' favour.

Muzzo dived over in the corner just minutes after having a try ruled out by the TMO for a forward pass.

Ireland refused to throw in the towel and Katie Corrigan intercepted a loose pass to sprint in under the posts, leaving Dannah O'Brien a simple conversion with a minute remaining.

Ireland piled on the pressure and worked their way to within two meters of the Italian line in the closing moments, only to lose the ball in the tackle as the visitors held on.