Kildare's James Tracy makes Six Nations bow as Ireland score 9 tries against woeful Italians

It was a relatively relaxed and pressure-free zone for Kildare's James Tracy to come into, but the 25-year-old has now tasted his first bit of Six Nations action as Ireland powered past a hapless Italian side to record their first win of the championship.

It finished 63-10 to the Irish, with CJ Stander and second half substitute Craig Gilroy each contributing three tries, while Keith Earls chipped in with two and Gary Ringrose crossed over for his first ever Six Nations try as Ireland secured a bonus point win to keep their championship hopes alive.

Tracy was called into action in the 63rd minute, replacing Niall Scannell, and the Kill native was involved in Ireland's eighth try as he helped to turn the ball over from an Italian ruck, before CJ Stander hacked it up field and Gilroy darted in under the posts.

The opportunity for Tracy to make an appearance for his country only arrived after it was confirmed earlier this morning that captain Rory Best would be ruled out due to a stomach bug, meaning Scannell was promoted from the bench and Tracy took his place among the replacements.

It was a straigtforward championship debut for him too as Ireland enjoyed huge dominance in the lineout and at scrum time.