Ireland vs Italy LIVE: Six Nations build-up and latest updates as hosts aim for second win

Head coach Farrell raised some eyebrows by selecting rookie lock Joe McCarthy ahead of James Ryan and Ian Henderson at the Stade Velodrome. However, the big 22-year-old justified his decision with a dominant performance and was named the champion player in the first round. McCarthy’s Six Nations debut suggests he will star in Ireland’s second row for years to come. On Sunday, he will partner with recalled state teammate Ryan. The 27-year-old Leinster co-captain, who replaces Tadhg Beirne, will no doubt be desperate to remind people of his talent as he moves from being a candidate for Ireland’s new captain to competing for a regular starting spot.

Caelan Doris has been urged to be himself by former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton after being given the “tremendous honour” of captaining Ireland against Italy.

Leinster back-rower Doris will lead the reigning Grand Slam champions into today’s Guinness Six Nations match in Dublin following Peter O’Mahony’s calf injury.

The 25-year-old was informed of his temporary appointment by head coach Andy Farrell on Tuesday and offered advice to Sexton, who retired after last year’s World Cup, and current international team-mates O’Mahony, Ian Henderson and James Ryan. I asked for it.

Gonzalo Quesada was forced to reshuffle his back-row ahead of his second game with the Italian national team, with Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone absent. Alessandro Izecole will make his first Test start on the blindside, while captain Michele Lamaro will switch to number eight after Manuel Zuliani’s promotion.

Stephen Varney replaced Alessandro Garbisi at scrum-half, while Ange Capozzo missed the match against England due to illness, but was able to return with Tommaso Allan on the bench. Exeter number eight Ross Vincent has been named as a substitute and could make his debut.

Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli. 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Luzza. 6 Alessandro Izekol, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Michele Ramaro (captain). 9 Stephen Barney, 10 Paolo Garbisi. 11 Monti Ioane, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Lorenzo Pani. 15 Ange Capozzo.

Substitutes: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnuolo, 18 Giosue Girocchi, 19 Andrea Zambonin, 20 Ross Vincent. 21 Martin Page-Lillo, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Federico Mori.

Ireland made a number of changes as Andy Farrell used this game as an opportunity to consider some fresh combinations and rest some senior players. Caelan Doris captained the national team for the first time and shifted to openside, with Jack Connan filling in at number eight and Ryan Baird occupying the back row. Finlay Bealham will start at tighthead, with James Ryan replacing Tadhg Balin alongside Joe McCarthy.

At the back, Craig Casey needs to replicate Jamison Gibson-Park’s moves at base, with Stuart McCloskey in midfield, but Garry Ringrose is not yet fit and Vandy Aki has been given a week’s vacation.

Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Finlay Bellum. 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan. 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Kaylan Doris, 8 Jack Conan. 9 Craig Casey, 10 Jack Crowley. 11 James Rowe, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Calvin Nash. 15 Hugo Keenan.

Substitutes: 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 Larmour.

Well, kick-off is just over an hour away in Dublin. Let’s take a closer look at the two teams competing this afternoon.

Flyhalf Paolo Garbisi believes Italy are ready for the “toughest game in world rugby” and expects the match against Ireland to be twice as tough as against England. There is.

The Azzurri opened the season with a narrow 27-24 loss to Steve Borthwick’s side in Rome, before heading to Dublin to take on the reigning Guinness 6 Nations champions.

Ireland were the overwhelming favorites at a packed Aviva Stadium and remain on track for a consecutive Grand Slam title after crushing France with five tries.

Montpellier’s Garbisi admits his country have been behind in almost every game since joining the Championship in 2000, and is preparing for an important test.

That’s right, lots more reactions and analysis to all of yesterday’s fun independent person, but it’s time to switch focus more fully to today’s proceedings. Andy Farrell is hoping the Ireland international will receive a great welcome as he returns to the comfort of his homeland for the first time since his heartbreak at the World Cup.

However, if there was a big positive for England, it was a superb defensive effort as the hosts held Wales scoreless in the second half. luke baker Let’s take a closer look at the system that new assistant coach Felix Jones has set up, which has the potential to become England’s calling card throughout this tournament.

In the end, Ford’s boot delivered the decisive blow, but there was much discussion of the England fly-half’s failure to kick in the first half against Twickenham. Should referee James Doleman allow the Welsh charge after Ford stepped to his left? I personally don’t think so.

There was plenty to talk about at Twickenham. Wales’ young players have given England much to think about as they look to threaten to win their first Six Nations in 12 years at the home of English rugby. But in the end it was George Ford who killed the dragon…