Sport

Ireland vs Italy Six Nations Preview

Craig Casey of Ireland runs with the ball during the Six Nations Rugby match between Ireland and Italy at Aviva Stadium on February 27, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

GRAND SLAM chasing Ireland will take on an Italy side with new confidence in the third of the Six Nations this weekend.

Ireland have won their opening two games against Wales and France, while Italy have lost their first two.

However, the Italy side that Ireland will face will far be more confident of making it a contest at the Stadio Olympico this coming Saturday.

Kieran Crowley, the Italian head coach has instilled a newfound belief in the Italian team, so Ireland will need to be on their toes.

Here's a full preview of the game

Tomorrow! 🤌#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/zR36NaVqwO

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 24, 2023

Where's it on?

Stadio Olympico, Rome

When's it on?

Sat, Feburary 25th

What time is it on?

14.15pm

What TV Station is it on?

RTE TWO

What time does coverage start?

13:30

Dublin , Ireland - 11 February 2023; James Lowe of Ireland in. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Can I listen to it on the radio?

yes, via RTÉ Radio 1.

Can I stream the game?

Yes, via the RTÉ Player app

What happened the last time the sides met?

Ireland beat Italy 57-6 in Dublin last year.

Who were the try scorers that day?

Ireland: (24) 57
Try: Carbery (4'), Gibson-Park (21'), Lowry (30', 57'), O'Mahony (38'), Lowe (52', 76'), Baird (70'), Treadwell (81'+1)
Conversion: Carbery (5', 22'), Sexton (58', 71', 77', 81'+2)

Italy: (6) 6
Penalty: Padovani (14'), Garbisi (41')

What is Ireland's h2h record against Italy in the Six Nations?

Ireland have won all but one of their 23 Six Nations games with Italy. Their sole defeat was a 22-15 defeat in Rome in 2013, Italy’s last home victory in the championship

Who are the sides top try scorers this season?

Ireland's James Lowe has two tries, while Italy's Ange Capuozzo and

What have the coaches said?

Andy Farrell: “We’ve full respect for Italy."

“Italy are obviously chasing that win at home and it’s a big scalp, so we know the emotion that they’ve always had, but the skill that they’ve put in with that now makes them a serious threat to us.

“We’re aware of that, and our preparation says so. There’s a realisation of what we’re up against this week and it’ll be a tough one.”

Kieran Crowley: "It will be a difficult match against the number one ranked side in the world."

"However, each match is a different story: we will confront Ireland with the ambition of us improving in certain sectors so we are more competitive."

Teams for the game

Ireland team

Fullback: 15. Hugo Keenan
Winger: 14. Mack Hansen
Centres 13. Bundee Aki , 12. Stuart McCloskey,
Winger: 11. James Lowe
Out half: 10. Ross Byrne , Scrumhalf: 9. Craig Casey
Front Row: 1. Andrew Porter , 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Finlay Bealham
Second Row: 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan (C)
Backrow: 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan

Replacements 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Tom O’Toole , 19. Ryan Baird, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Jimmy O’Brien

ℹ️ Team Update: Unfortunately Garry Ringrose has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game through injury.

Stuart McCloskey comes into the starting team, with Jimmy O’Brien named on the bench. #TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/UmureKBDnA

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 24, 2023

Italy team

Italy: Fullback: 15. Ange Capuozzo;
Winger: 14. Edoardo Padovani,
Centres 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello,
Winger: 11. Pierre Bruno;
Out half: 10 Paolo Garbisi, Scrumhalf: 9. Stephen Varney;
Front Row: 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone Ferrari;
Second Row: 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Federico
Backrow: 6 Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro, 8. Lorenzo Cannone.

Replacements: 16. Luca Bigi, 17. Federico Zani, 18. Marco Riccioni,19. Edoardo Iachizzi, 20. Giovanni Pettinelli, 21. Alessandro Fusco, 22. Luca Morisi, 23. Tommaso Allan.

🔵 #Italrugby
Il Capo Allenatore Kieran #Crowley ha annunciato la formazione del 3° match del Guinness Six Nations 2023 ➡ https://t.co/aCUUQhnjtn
🇮🇹☘ #ITAvIRE
📍 Stadio Olimpico, Roma
🏉 Sabato 25/2, kick off ore 15.15
🎟 @TicketOne
📺 @SkySport 1 ▪ @NOW▪ @TV8it pic.twitter.com/XNs30DaMrD

— Italrugby (@Federugby) February 23, 2023