In a game described as no-win for Ireland, they managed a hard-fought 20-13 victory over Italy - just about.
They played well enough in patches to score three tries, a conversion and a penalty but were hanging on at the death and had to repel an Italy attack that almost resulted in a try and what would have been a first ever draw against Ireland.
Off the back of a worrying loss to France, Ireland changed six starters and failed to click for large parts, while a sharp Italy outfit almost pulled off a monumental upset.
Jamie Osborne got Ireland's only score of the first half but it was the visitors who finished on the front foot with a 10-5 lead thanks to Giacomo Nicotera's try and five points from the boot of Paolo Garbisi.
Andy Farrell unloaded most of his heavy hitters from the bench at the start of the second half and Ireland surged into a 20-10 lead with Jack Conan and man of the match Robert Baloucoune crossing for tries, while Jack Crowley added three off the tee.
Another Garbisi penalty brought the margin back to seven but Ireland held out to secure a first win in three and their first points of the championship.
The early exchanges were even, with Ireland dominating in the air. An area that yielded very little return in the defeat to France was paying dividends with Osborne, Baloucoune and James Lowe all winning duals, putting Ireland on the front foot.
But a determined Italian defence was giving no quarter and Simone Ferrari's huge hit on Garry Ringrose set the tone.
Ireland's handling was slick but they were lucky that scrum-half Alessandro Fusco failed to intercept Craig Casey's pass on the halfway line.
The hosts grew into the game and began to retain good possession in the Italy 22, made easier when Louis Lynagh went in the bin for a deliberate knock on.
The lineout, with Cormac Izuchukwu (below) the go-to man, was purring and a try looked on when Baloucoune came off his wing and combined with Lowe but the ball was lost in a ruck.
Still, Ireland stayed patient and moved the Italy defence around before Sam Prendergast, Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey combined in close quarters to set up a try for Osborne, who had been prominent on the ball for most of the first half.
However, Prendergast failed to add the extras as he pulled his simple shot a goal wide.
Izuchukwu, on his Six Nations debut, was harshly penalised for a lineout infringement soon after the restart and Garbisi slotted the kick over.
After promising early signs, Ireland, just five-point winners over Italy last season, withdrew into themselves and compounded error after error.
Osborne knocked on from the next restart and then Thomas Clarkson gave away a free kick at the scrum, Ringrose played the ball on the ground and Prendergast's poor kick almost resulted in a stunning Italian try but full-back Lorenzo Pani couldn't connect with Michele Lamoro after a chip and chase.
Casey was then sent to the bin for a high challenge, one of ten team penaltise conceded, that came at the cost of a bloody nose, while Italy scored a try from the lineout.
Andrea Zambonin took a clean lineout and Italy added numbers to the maul before hooker Nicotera (above) sheared off to touchdown with Garbisi converting.
And it was Italy who finished the half on the front foot, winning two scrum penalties and almost getting over for a second with McCloskey's big tackle saving the day but still Italy went in ahead for the first ever time in a Six Nations match in Dublin.
One can only imagine what Farrell, who had been highly critical of his team's attitude in Paris, said but it had the desired effect.
Tadhg Furlong replaced Clarkson at half-time and Baloucoune gathered the restart, and Ireland carried hard for a number of phases before drawing a penalty.
Dan Sheehan threw short to Loughman and Conan was on hand to power over and tie up the game, however, Prendergast was again off target with the conversion.
Italy's pack were well up for the fight and the next scrum resulted in another penalty but Izuchukwu came up with a steal, Osborne denied Pani in the corner moments later and then Doris turned the ball over close to the line.
They thought they had the reward their play deserved when Lynagh went over in the corner after Tommaso Menoncello cut through the midfield but TMO Ian Tempest said the ball went forward from the centre's pass.
Farrell threw on Jamison Gibson-Park, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Beirne to try to gain some impetus but more sloppy play at the breakdown 10 metres out let Italy away.
Monty Ioane broke downfield and Danilo Fischetti striped Loughman of the ball as the frantic tempo continued, while out-half Jack Crowley was introduced to the action.
Once again, the impact of the bench told as Ireland worked the ball well into the Italy 22.
Playing a penalty advantage, McCloskey took his time to fire a quarterback pass to Baloucoune (above), who used his footwork and pace to gain half a yard on the outside and score on his Six Nations bow.
The crowd were finding their voice with a huge cheer greeting Crowley's conversion, while a sliced kick to touch also handed Ireland good position to strike, and Crowley added a penalty to make it 20-10 when Federico Ruzza went offside close to the line.
That gave the hosts some breathing space but Garbisi brought it back to a one-score game when he slotted over another three points after another scrum penalty went against the Irish pack.
Gonazalo Quesada's men, winners over Scotland in round one, came again and opportunity arose when Doris was penalised by Hollie Davidson, who became the first female referee to take charge of a men's Six Nations match, for hands on the deck.
Garbisi's clever kick over the top almost bounced up perfectly for Menoncello but Lowe was able to clean up.
There was more work to do.
Edwin Edogbo, on for his international debut, conceded a penalty for hands in the ruck and the visitors kicked to the corner as the clock went into the red.
The same man came up with a couple of big hits as Ireland repelled a frantic late attack and the siege was lifted when Lowe intercepted Ioane's offload.
Amazingly, Ireland won a penalty in the 22 and had a chance to secure a bonus point but Crowley, unbelievably, kicked the ball dead.
It's on to Twickenham with more questions than answers, while Italy take home a bonus point from Ireland for the first time since 2008.
Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Cormac Izuchukwu, Caelan Doris (capt), Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Sheehan 52), Tom O'Toole (Loyghman 66) , Tadhg Furlong (Clarkson h/t), Edwin Edogbo (Ryan 70), Tadhg Beirne (McCarthy 52), Nick Timoney (Izuchukwu 58), Jamison Gibson-Park (Casey 52), Jack Crowley (Prendergast 56).
Italy: Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Leonardo Marin, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari; Niccolo Cannone, Andrea Zambonin; Michele Lamaro (capt), Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Tommaso di Bartolomeo (Nicotera 58), Mirco Spagnolo (Danilo Fischetti 58), Muhamed Hasa (Ferrari 58), Federico Ruzza (Zambonin 60), Riccardo Favretto, David Odiase (Cannone 66), Alessandro Garbisi (Fusco 62), Paolo Odogwu (Marin 66).
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
