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Preview: Italy v Ireland

Ireland and Italy may have finished at the opposite ends of the 2014 Six Nations table, but no one from Joe Schmidt's camp will be viewing this clash as an opening-round banker.

After all, Ireland's first visit to the Stadio Olimpico in 2013 was not one to savour – as Italy's pack bullied their way to a 22-15 win in front of a full house.

That put to bed their Six Nations losing streak against the Irish and though Schmidt and company are returning to Rome as defending champions, very few sides ever relish an outing against Italy's forwards.

In fact the Azzurri are catching Ireland at a vulnerable time, as the ring-rusty Sean O'Brien is named in the back row, while Jordi Murphy gets the nod at No.8 ahead of Jamie Heaslip, who failed a late fitness test.

Loosehead Cian Healy is also absent through injury and in his place steps the relatively inexperienced Jack McGrath.

McGrath will meet battle-hardened veterans such as Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse – who have 285 caps between them.

And while that triumvirate is not about to faze McGrath, the 25-year-old concedes it could get ugly for Irish hopes if Italy's pack begins to sense blood.

"They really want to shove their scrum in your face," said McGrath, who is in line for his fifth Ireland start.Preview: Italy v Ireland

"Their line-out maul too, that's their bread and butter and where they pride themselves the most.

"If we can meet them in that area and maybe go one better that's what we ideally want to do.

"But it's not just doing it once – it's doing it every time. If you give them a sniff there's massive confidence there.

"And especially at home the crowd is just going to get behind them and really rally them up.

"So it's up to us as a pack to really get stuck into them early, and turn it around on them.

"They are unbelievably passionate people so it will be really tough.

"But we'll take them on up front first and foremost. If we can take that away from them then we're a step towards winning the game."

Ian Keatley takes the reins at flyhalf with Jonathan Sexton, who orchestrated Ireland's 46-7 win over the Azzurri last year, sitting out due to concussion protocol.

Italy, boasting 660 caps in total in their starting XV, made two enforced changes from their year-end defeat to South Africa.

George Fabio Biagi packs down in the second row in the absence of Quintin Geldenhuys and at openside flank, Francesco Minto fills in for Samuela Vunisa.

Jacques Brunel is preparing to guide Italy at the Six Nations for the last time as he plans to step down after the World Cup.

And while admitting his side have lurched between the brilliant and the benign in their last two clashes with Ireland, Brunel is adamant it is all to play for on Saturday.

"It is not the easiest challenge. Ireland are the tournament favourites, but two years ago we beat them and we hope to have the right attitude this time," said Brunel.

"And this is the start of a tournament, so anything can happen.

"Two years ago we dominated the game, last year it was impossible to avoid their domination when all the statistics, like possession and tackles, were so negative. Something has to change and we will try to do so."

Players to watch:

Preview: Italy v IrelandFor Italy: You start at fullback, where Andrea Masi has settled in as one of the game's more entertaining No.15s. However, as always the key player will be No.8 and captain Sergio Parisse – the man who stokes the fire that gets the Azzurri's steam train going. Grizzled veterans Martin Castrogiovanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini will also be key players if Italy have any hope of an upset.

Preview: Italy v IrelandFor Ireland: Class all over the park, but it is flyhalf Ian Keatley who will have a considerable share of the spotlight shining on him – as he takes his opportunity in the absence of the concussion-plagued Jonathan Sexton. The return of Sean O'Brien, who will play his first Test since November 2013 – following two shoulder reconstruction operations – will also be key to the Ireland cause. Captain Paul O'Connell is another key piece in the puzzle.

Preview: Italy v IrelandPreview: Italy v IrelandHead to head: It will all start up front – especially in the scrums – where Italy's Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Matias Aguero will search for a weak link in the make-up of the Irish trio, Mike Ross, Rory Best and Jack McGrath. That will be the intrigue in the match. The entertainment could come further out in the backs – where Italian flyhalf Kelly Haimona gets a chance against the relatively unheralded (at least at international level) Ian Keatley.

Recent results:

2014: Ireland won 46-7, DublinPreview: Italy v Ireland

2013: Italy won 22-15, Rome

2012: Ireland won 42-10, Dublin

2011: Ireland won 36-6, Dunedin (World Cup pool match)

2011: Ireland won 13-11, Rome

2010: Ireland won 29-11, Dublin

2009: Ireland won 38-9, Rome

2008: Ireland won 16-11, Dublin

2007: Ireland won 23-20, Belfast

2007: Ireland won 51-24, Rome

Prediction: Write of Italy at your peril, but the smart money will remain on Ireland. In fact a recent poll on rugby365 had more than 50 percent of our readers voting for Ireland to win back-to-back Six Nations titles – with good reason. The men from the Emerald Isle have too much class allround. Yes he Azzurri will push them hard, especially in the first half, but we feel Ireland will pull clear in the final quarter and win by at least 10 points.

Teams:

Preview: Italy v IrelandItaly: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Luke McLean, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Francesco Minto, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 George Biagi, 4 Joshua Furno, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Marco Fuser, 20 Marco Barbini, 21 Gulgielmo Palazzani, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Giovanbattista Venditti.

Preview: Italy v IrelandIreland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jordi Murphy, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Jack McGrath.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 James Cronin, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Tommy O'Donnell, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.

Date: Saturday, February 7

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Kick-off: 15.30 (14.30 GMT; 14.30 Ireland time)

Expected weather: Variable cloudiness with a couple of showers. High of 12°C and a low of 1°C

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)

Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Stuart Berry (SA)

TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

@rbs_6_nations & @rugby365com

 

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