Seeking a response to their 27-15 opening-round defeat to France in Belfast eight days earlier, Ireland received an immediate boost inside the opening 60 seconds of this contest as Italian lock Valeria Fedrighi was sin-binned for making contact with returning skipper Edel McMahon.

A bunker review determined her challenge on the Clare native wasn’t dangerous enough to be upgraded to a red card, but Ireland nevertheless took control during her brief absence from the action.

Having found themselves within inches of the whitewash from a line-out maul, the ball was moved towards the right-flank for outside centre Aoife Dalton to break over for a second-minute try. Dannah O’Brien supplied the extras to this score and she did likewise after Eve Higgins released McGann for her first try in 15s international rugby on eight minutes.

While an Italian side restored to their full compliment opened their account with a five-pointer from Sofia Stefan in the 14th minute, Ireland confidently secured a bonus point by bagging further tries either side of the first-quarter mark.

Higgins passed out wide for Tipperary’s Amee-Leigh Costigan to cross over in clinical fashion with just under 20 minutes on the clock and it was then left for full-back Stacey Flood to become the provider for McGann’s second try off an extended attack.

O’Brien knocked over her fourth successful conversion in the wake of this latest effort and even though Italy piled on attacking pressure during the closing stages of the opening period, Ireland brought a 28-5 cushion into the dressing room at the break.

While the ever-impressive Aoife Wafer had a try ruled out on the resumption due to Niamh O’Dowd being in front of Fiona Tuite as she rose to claim a line-out delivery from Neve Jones, a fifth Irish try inevitably arrived in the 54th minute.

Linda Djougang was Ireland’s most experienced player coming into this tie with 42 international caps and she marked her 43rd international outing with a powerful close-range finish.

O’Brien subsequently maintained her 100% record off the kicking tee, but Ireland were seemingly under the cosh when Djougang was yellow carded for a head-high tackle on Italian fly-half Emma Stevanin.

Yet thanks to their strong reserve options, Ireland continued to prosper in spite of their numerical disadvantage. A strong carry from Brittany Hogan helped them to create attacking momentum inside the final-quarter and her fellow replacement Dorothy Wall was then on hand to drive over the whitewash in ruthless fashion.

Italy finally disrupted their opponents’ flow courtesy of a seven-point salvo from centre Beatrice Rigoni on 67 minutes, but Ireland were determined to have the final say in Parma. After Hogan capitalised on a defensive lapse by the Italians for her side’s seventh try, McGann completed her hat-trick in stoppage-time off another intricate attacking move.

Scorers for Italy: Tries: S Stefan, B Rigoni Cons: B Rigoni

Scorers for Ireland: Tries: A McGann 3, A Dalton, A-L Murphy Crowe, L Djougang, D Wall, B Hogan Cons: D O’Brien 7

ITALY: F Granzotto; A Muzzo (B Capomaggi 21-30), M Sillari (S Mannini 60), B Rigoni, A D’Inca (B Capomaggi 64); E Stevanin, S Stefan (A Bitonci 60); A Turani (V Zanette 59), V Vecchini (L Gurioli 59), G Maris (S Seye 43); V Fedrighi (A Ranuccini 63), G Duca; S Tounesi, F Sgorbini (B Veronese 56), E Giordano.

IRELAND: S Flood; A McGann, A Dalton, E Higgins (E Breen 59), A-L Corrigan; D O’Brien, A Reilly (E Lane 59); N O’Dowd (S McCarthy 59), N Jones (C Moloney 64), L Djougang (C Haney 67); R Campbell (G Moore 59), F Tuite (D Wall 51); E McMahon (C Haney 59-67), E King, A Wafer (B Hogan 51).

Referee: E Goldsmith (Australia).