Ireland v Italy - Teams and Prediction

SIX NATIONS, ROUND TWO PREVIEW: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell admitted there had been some “soul-searching” since their second successive Six Nations hammering by France – which for some confirmed the impression the Irish are on the decline.

They will now look to bounce back in their Round Two clash against Italy in Dublin on Saturday.

The Irish were crowned Six Nations champions in 2024 – having also achieved the Grand Slam in 2023 – but their results last November suggested they had lost their edge.

Farrell, though, said the players had responded well in training since the 14-36 defeat to the French.

“We’re very happy because nobody was holding back,” said Farrell.

“There was a lot of honesty and no excuses. We tried to get back to simplifying things down and to understand what we stand for as a team.

“You always think that preparations are going right, but until you get a smack in the face like we did in Paris, you find out about yourselves.

“The good thing is, nine days later, we get another crack at it.”

The preview continues below…

Veteran wing James Lowe returns to the Ireland starting line-up for their match with Italy on Saturday as Farrell made sweeping changes.

Lowe, who will win his 44th cap, was a surprise omission from the matchday 23 in France and is one of six changes to the starting XV from the game in Paris.

Farrell has also brought in Robert Baloucoune on the other wing, for his Six Nations debut – the duo replaces Tommy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale, who drop out of the 23 altogether.

Lowe’s fellow Kiwi and Leinster teammate Jamison Gibson-Park drops to the bench with Craig Casey replacing him at scrumhalf.

He will team up with flyhalf Sam Prendergast, who has retained his place despite missing seven tackles in the French match – Jack Crowley, who is generally regarded as a more solid defender, is on the bench.

Baloucoune’s Ulster teammate Cormac Izuchukwu also gets his Six Nations debut at flank ahead of 2022 world player of the year Josh van der Flier, who is not even a replacement, with Nick Timoney preferred as backup after his try-scoring introduction off the bench in Paris.

Jack Conan and James Ryan also come into the starting line-up at No.8 and lock respectively.

Farrell has had to cope with several key players being injured, but one of them, star prop Tadhg Furlong, has recovered well enough to be named on the bench.

‘Special’ aim

Italy have only beaten the Irish four times – just once in the Six Nations in Rome in 2013 – but come to Dublin with a spring in their step having beaten Scotland in their opener.

Farrell, though, is expecting his side to put up a much better performance than they did in Paris, where they only got on the scoreboard in the second half, and avoid what would be only their second defeat in Dublin by the Italians.

“We’ve had some great battles against Italy in recent years, and Saturday will be no different,” said Farrell in an Irish Rugby statement.

“We know we have to reach a consistently high standard, and that’s the exciting challenge that awaits us.

“There has been a positive reaction in training this week, and we’ll aim to keep on building into the weekend.”

Lorenzo Pani will make his first start for Italy in almost two years after head coach Gonzalo Quesada named him to replace Juan Ignacio Brex.

The 23-year-old will start at fullback in the only personnel change to the team that beat Scotland 18-15 last weekend in atrociously wet conditions in Rome.

“We’ve decided to put our faith in Lorenzo Pani,” Quesada told reporters.

“He worked hard in November, training the entire time with the national team without ever playing.

“Then he improved a lot and is coming off two or three excellent matches with Zebre.

“Some of his qualities will be important on Saturday,” the former Argentina flyhalf added.

Players to watch

For Ireland: There’s a perception among many that Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune should’ve had a lot more caps to his name already. However, he had to contend with injuries over the years, and now this could be his big chance to prove his worth at Test level. Flyhalf Sam Prendergast still has many doubters, especially after his performance against France. With Jack Crowley waiting on the bench, the Leinster pivot will have to repay the faith Andy Farrell has shown in him. Ireland became a bit predictable over the years when it comes to their pack selection, so there will be some excitement around Cormac Izuchukwu, who makes his Six Nations debut in the No.6 jersey, while Edwin Edogbo will make his Test debut should he come off the bench.

For Italy: The 23-year-old Tommaso Menoncello has established himself as one of the best in the business in the midfield. If there is enough quality ball filtering through from the pack, he will surely be a big headache for the Irish on Saturday. It will be a big day for Lorenzo Pani, who starts at fullback. There will be some nerves, so don’t be too surprised if the Irish send some high balls his way. The Italians have the personnel up front to really contest the set-pieces against Ireland. If Danilo Fischetti and Simone Ferrari can put their opposite numbers under pressure at scrum time, then it could lay the platform for an upset.

Prediction

Rugby365: Ireland by seven points.

Teams:

Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Caelan Doris (captain), 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Jeremy Loughman.
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Tadhg Beirne, 21 Nick Timoney, 22 Jamison Gibson-Park, 23 Jack Crowley.

Italy: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Leonardo Marin, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Michele Lamaro (captain), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiase, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Paolo Odogwu.

Date: Saturday, January 14
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 14.10 (15.10 CET; 14.10 GMT)
Expected weather: It will be cloudy, chilly and wet with strong wind gusts.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Luc Ramos (France)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

AFP & @rugby365com