Jamie Heaslip grabbed a double as Ireland claimed their first victory of the 2016 RBS 6 Nations with a record nine-try mauling of Italy in Dublin.
Joe Schmidt's side had only scored two tries in their first three games of this year's Championship - but they had four before the break against the Azzurri in the Aviva Stadium.
Their hopes of a hat-trick of titles had been ended at Twickenham in round three but they clicked into gear on Saturday - Andrew Trimble, Jack McGrath, CJ Stander and Heaslip going over in the opening period.
And after the break Jared Payne, Heaslip, Sean Cronin and Ian Madigan brought up the half century for the men in green - although David Odiete and Leonardo Sarto did cross for consolation tries for the visitors.
McFadden then crossed with almost the last play of the game to grab Ireland's ninth - a record haul in the RBS 6 Nations for the men in green.
Ireland will now head into the final round of games and the visit of Scotland with renewed optimism while Jacques Brunel's Italy are staring down the barrel of a wooden spoon when they head to Cardiff.
A late reshuffle in the front row for Italy, Dario Chistolini replacing Lorenzo Cittadini, did not appear to ruffle the visitors who started brightly.
Only a superb covering tackle from Conor Murray denied Gonzalo Garcia a try as the Azzurri pushed but Ireland weathered the early storm and hit back in the seventh minute.
A clever dink from Sexton caused confusion between Odiete and Sarto and Payne pounced to scoop up the loose ball. And when Murray came back on the short side Trimble was too strong and powered over for the first score.
Sexton missed with the conversion but the hosts were up and running and had a second try inside 15 minutes.
This time it was McGrath who got it - only his second ever for his country - barging over from short range after a couple of clever kicks from Robbie Henshaw had established the territory.
This time Sexton added the extras for a 12-0 lead and while Edoardo Padovani - on his first start at fly-half for the Azzurri - did slot a penalty that did not derail the Irish charge.
Sexton slotted his first penalty of the afternoon after a late hit from Sergio Parisse and then the backs created a lovely try for Stander.
Sexton's delicious inside ball put Keith Earls through a hole and although Trimble was scragged short of the line, two phases later Stander burrowed over for his first international try and a 20-3 lead.
And there was still time before the break for Ireland to grab a fourth - and it was the best of the lot - as a sweeping move from one 22 to the other involving Simon Zebo, Payne and the irrepressible Sexton eventually put Heaslip over.
Sexton's kicking from the tee was the only negative for Joe Schmidt at half-time, the fly-half missing once more with the extras for a 25-3 scoreline at the interval.
Italy needed to make a fast start to the second period to retain any hope of a comeback but their struggles continued.
Payne picked off a telegraphed pass in midfield to canter clear under the posts and Sexton could not miss with those extras for a 32-3 lead.
A sixth Ireland try was not long in following, No.8 Heaslip diving over under the posts for his second after the pick and go game from the forwards had brought them close.
As the hour mark came and went Joe Schmidt emptied his bench - giving invaluable game time to talents like Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane and Cronin - on his 50th cap - burst over for the next score.
Odiete then went over in the left corner after a fine long pass from Guglielmo Palazzani released him before up the other end Ian Madigan wriggled over from close range.
There was still time before the end for Sarto to canter over down the right for a second Italy try before Ireland sealed the victory and a record haul as McFadden burst clear.
Their hopes of a hat-trick of titles had been ended at Twickenham in round three but they clicked into gear on Saturday - Andrew Trimble, Jack McGrath, CJ Stander and Heaslip going over in the opening period.
And after the break Jared Payne, Heaslip, Sean Cronin and Ian Madigan brought up the half century for the men in green - although David Odiete and Leonardo Sarto did cross for consolation tries for the visitors.
McFadden then crossed with almost the last play of the game to grab Ireland's ninth - a record haul in the RBS 6 Nations for the men in green.
Ireland will now head into the final round of games and the visit of Scotland with renewed optimism while Jacques Brunel's Italy are staring down the barrel of a wooden spoon when they head to Cardiff.
A late reshuffle in the front row for Italy, Dario Chistolini replacing Lorenzo Cittadini, did not appear to ruffle the visitors who started brightly.
Only a superb covering tackle from Conor Murray denied Gonzalo Garcia a try as the Azzurri pushed but Ireland weathered the early storm and hit back in the seventh minute.
A clever dink from Sexton caused confusion between Odiete and Sarto and Payne pounced to scoop up the loose ball. And when Murray came back on the short side Trimble was too strong and powered over for the first score.
Sexton missed with the conversion but the hosts were up and running and had a second try inside 15 minutes.
This time it was McGrath who got it - only his second ever for his country - barging over from short range after a couple of clever kicks from Robbie Henshaw had established the territory.
This time Sexton added the extras for a 12-0 lead and while Edoardo Padovani - on his first start at fly-half for the Azzurri - did slot a penalty that did not derail the Irish charge.
Sexton slotted his first penalty of the afternoon after a late hit from Sergio Parisse and then the backs created a lovely try for Stander.
Sexton's delicious inside ball put Keith Earls through a hole and although Trimble was scragged short of the line, two phases later Stander burrowed over for his first international try and a 20-3 lead.
And there was still time before the break for Ireland to grab a fourth - and it was the best of the lot - as a sweeping move from one 22 to the other involving Simon Zebo, Payne and the irrepressible Sexton eventually put Heaslip over.
Sexton's kicking from the tee was the only negative for Joe Schmidt at half-time, the fly-half missing once more with the extras for a 25-3 scoreline at the interval.
Italy needed to make a fast start to the second period to retain any hope of a comeback but their struggles continued.
Payne picked off a telegraphed pass in midfield to canter clear under the posts and Sexton could not miss with those extras for a 32-3 lead.
A sixth Ireland try was not long in following, No.8 Heaslip diving over under the posts for his second after the pick and go game from the forwards had brought them close.
As the hour mark came and went Joe Schmidt emptied his bench - giving invaluable game time to talents like Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane and Cronin - on his 50th cap - burst over for the next score.
Odiete then went over in the left corner after a fine long pass from Guglielmo Palazzani released him before up the other end Ian Madigan wriggled over from close range.
There was still time before the end for Sarto to canter over down the right for a second Italy try before Ireland sealed the victory and a record haul as McFadden burst clear.
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