Ireland moved up to second in the Women's Six Nations table with a 21-7 win over Italy in Dublin.

However, Ireland led at the break thanks to scores from Lindsay Peat and the returning Claire Molloy.

The second half was littered with errors and stoppages but a penalty try with 10 minutes remaining secured the win for Adam Griggs' side.

Some 245 days since their last outing against England, Ireland's build-up was disrupted after full-back Eimear Considine and replacement prop Laura Feely were ruled out after inconclusive Covid-19 tests.

Italy, who stunned Ireland in Rome in 2019, came flying out of the blocks with Tyrrell and the combined efforts of Kathryn Dane and Laura Sheehan denying the visitors try-scoring chances after some rusty Ireland handling.

Tyrrell, making her first international start at fly-half, looked nervy in the early stages at Energia Park and kicked straight into touch, a mistake which Italy capitalised on.

From the resulting lineout, powerful flanker Giada Franco burst through three tackles after Italy retained possession, with Michela Sillari popping a pass up to the oncoming hooker Bettoni, who powered over the Irish line.

Patience pays off

After weathering the Italy storm in the opening 30 minutes, in which Ireland had only 29% of possession, the hosts burst into life when the settled Tyrrell chipped through to Beibhinn Parsons, who fumbled the ball with the try line gaping.

Despite the missed opportunity and a further chance squandered by lock Nicola Fryday, Ireland got on the board when Peat barged her way over from a rolling maul.

Just 12 days shy of her 40th birthday, the prop took on two Italy defenders before touching down, which was confirmed after a brief check by TMO Neil Paterson.

With the wind in their sails, Ireland pressed for their second try before the break, with Sheehan scythed down in the Italy 22.

Molloy, who won her 70th cap after returning from a sabbatical, rounded out a superb team try after some excellent work from Enya Breen, Dane and Peat.

Despite the half-time whistle halting their momentum, Ireland continued where they left off and won a penalty deep in the Italy half, although another handling error from Sheehan stopped any try-scoring opportunity.

Indiscipline at the breakdown cost Ireland when Molloy made a break into the Italy 22, but Fryday entered the ruck from the side, which allowed the visitors to clear their lines.

Ulster's Brittany Hogan made her debut after 63 minutes as the early pace of the game halted because of injury stoppages and handling errors.

Undeterred, the superb Molloy made another half-break into the Italy 22. The visitors were penalised for not rolling away but hooker Cliodhna Moloney was adjudged to have thrown a crooked lineout as another chance went abegging.

However, Moloney, in her last action before being replaced by Ulster debutant Neve Jones, charged down Veronia Madia's clearance kick to hand Ireland a 5m scrum.

Ireland thought they had touched down from the resulting set play after 70 minutes when captain Ciara Griffin powered over, but scrum-half Dane was deemed to have blocked opposite number Sofia Stefan.

Despite Dane's infringement, referee Hollie Davidson adjudged prop Silvia Turani to have pulled out of the scrum and subsequently awarded Ireland the penalty try.

Ireland, who have won their three home matches, are six points behind runaway leaders England in the table before their final game against France on 1 November.

Ireland: Delaney, Sheehan; Naoupu, Breen; Parsons; Tyrrell, Dane; Peat, Moloney, Djougang; Fryday, Cooney; Wall, Molloy, Griffin.

Replacements: Jones, O'Dwyer, Lyons, Hogan, O'Connor, Hughes, Muldoon, Fitzhenry.

Italy: Furlan (capt), Ostuni Minuzzi, Sillari, Rigoni, Muzzo, Madia, Stefan; Turani, Bettoni, Gai, Tounesi, Duca, Sgorbini, Franco, Giordano.

Replacements: Cerato, Skofca, Merlo, Fedrighi, Sberna, Barattin, Capomaggi, Mancini.