Andy Farrell believes talk of leading Ireland to back-to-back Grand Slam titles is premature as he looks to build on the “feel-good factor” created by their big Guinness Six Nations win over France.
Reigning champions Ireland made a statement in Marseille on Friday night with a stunning 38-17 bonus point victory over the pre-tournament favorites.
The match has proven to be a Six Nations championship match in each of the past two years, with Ireland winning 32-19 in Dublin 12 months ago to dethrone Les Bleus. It was a revenge for the 30-24 loss in Paris in 2022.
Italy have improved greatly, as they showed against England, but the chances of them achieving a result in Dublin are slim to none.
When is Ireland vs Italy?
Ireland and Italy will play on Sunday 11th February. The match will kick off at 3pm Japan time.
where is ireland vs italy
Aviva Stadium in Dublin. A place where the Azzurri have never won before.
How to watch Ireland vs Italy on TV
The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK. In the Republic of Ireland, Virgin Media holds the live broadcast rights.
Who is the referee?
Pierre Bourset of France will be in charge of this match. Telegraph Sport has also published a complete guide for all referees at this year’s tournament.
What’s the latest team news?
Ireland
Ireland made six changes, including a new captain in flanker Caelan Doris and a new back-row, as manager Andy Farrell looks to a wider squad.
Doris, the 110th player to be named Ireland captain, was moved from No. 8 to the scrum side, replaced by Jack Connan. Ryan Baird replaced captain Peter O’Mahony last week wearing the No.6 shirt.
Dorris is not particularly accustomed to being an openside flanker, but he replaced O’Mahony when the Irishman limped off in last weekend’s 38-17 win over France in Ireland’s opening game.
Prop Finlay Bealham starts in the front row in place of Tadhg Furlong, with James Ryan at lock alongside Joe McCarthy.
Stuart McCloskey will replace Bundy Aki at center, but Aki, like Beirne and O’Mahony, will miss Game 23. Scrumhalf Craig Casey will partner Munster teammate Jack Crowley in the halfback pairing.
Center Gary Ringrose has not recovered from a shoulder injury in time to return to the team.
ireland team
15-Hugo Keenan, 14-Calvin Nash, 13-Robbie Henshaw, 12-Stuart McCloskey, 11-James Lowe, 10-Jack Crowley, 9-Craig Casey, 8-Jack Conan, 7 – Kaylan Doris (captain), 6-Ryan Baird, 5-James Ryan, 4-Joe McCarthy, 3-Finlay Bealham, 2-Dan Sheehan, 1-Andrew Porter
Replacement: 16- Ronan Kelleher, 17- Jeremy Rahman, 18- Tom O’Toole, 19- Ian Henderson, 20- Josh van der Flier, 21- Jamison Gibson-Park, 22- Harry Byrne, 23- jordan larmore
Italy
Ange Capozzo returns as one of four substitutes from the team that lost to England last weekend. Capozzo had been named in the squad for the match against England, but withdrew due to illness and with Tommaso Allan on the bench, he was named at full-back.
Head coach Gonzalo Quesada was forced to make other changes after flanker Sebastian Negri suffered a rib injury, with Alessandro Izecole starting on the bench for his first cap in the 27-24 loss to England. Participated.
With Lorenzo Cannone also out with a knee injury, captain Michele Lamaro will be in the No. 8 spot, with Manuel Zuliani in the starting XI.
Another change is the return of Stephen Varney to scrum-half, replacing Alessandro Garbisi, who started last weekend.
italian team
15-Ange Capozzo, 14-Lorenzo Pani, 13-Ignacio Brex, 12-Tommaso Menoncello, 11-Monti Ioane, 10-Paolo Garbisi, 9-Steven Varney, 8-Michele Ramaro, 7- Manuel Zuliani, 6-Alessandro Isécole, 5-Federico Luzza, 4-Niccolo Canone, 3-Pietro Ceccarelli, 2-Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1-Danilo Fischetti.
Replacement: 16- Giacomo Nicotera, 17- Mirco Spagnuolo, 18- Giosue Girocchi, 19- Andrea Zambonin, 20- Ross Vincent, 21- Martin Page Lello, 22- Tommaso Allan, 23- Federico Mori.
When was the last time Ireland and Italy won the Six Nations?
Ireland won the 2023 Six Nations last year and also won the Grand Slam and Triple Crown.
Italy has never won the title. Since entering the contest in 2000, they have picked up 18 of his wooden spoons.