Ireland overcame a half-time deficit and then clung on at the death to unconvincingly beat Italy 20-13 and avoid a historic Six Nations upset at the Aviva Stadium.
The Azzurri have never beaten Ireland in Dublin in this championship but fancied their chances of ending that drought after an opening weekend that saw them secure a win over Scotland in wretched conditions, while Andy Farrell’s side were completely outclassed by France in Paris to raise a few tough questions about their supposed rebuild.
The hosts were poor in the first half and deservedly trailed 10-5 at the break, as Jamie Osborne’s try was bettered by Giacomo Nicotera’s driving maul score and a Paolo Garbisi penalty – and Italy should have led by more, only to waste a golden opportunity right on the Irish line on the stroke of half-time.
Jack Conan’s try early in the second half levelled the score and after Louis Lynagh’s lovely dot-down was ruled out for a Tommaso Menoncello forward pass shortly after, Ireland capitalise to retake the lead through Robert Baloucoune’s sumptuous effort and withstood a wave of Azzurri pressure at the death to send a sigh of relief around the Aviva.
Relive all the action from the Aviva Stadium with our live blog below:
Ireland vs Italy live
- Ireland beat Italy in dramatic finish to Six Nations match
- 59' - TRY! Stunning team try finished off superbly by Baloucoune (IRE 17-10 ITA)
- 42' TRY! Conan goes low and crosses to level it (IRE 10-10 ITA)
- 34' - TRY! The Italy driving maul rumbles over the line to grab lead in Dublin (IRE 5-10 ITA)
- 17' - TRY! Irish pressure finally tells as Osborne dots down with Italy reduced to 14 men (IRE 5-0 ITA)
Sam Prendergast struggles create more questions but Ireland narrowly survive Italy scare
17:00 , Chris WilsonIreland survived a major scare by holding on to scrape an unconvincing 20-13 Six Nations win over Italy in Dublin.
Andy Farrell’s side trailed 10-5 at half-time after Giacomo Nicotera’s try and five points from Paolo Garbisi stunned a sold-out Aviva Stadium crowd following Jamie Osborne’s opening score.
Jack Conan and championship debutant Robert Baloucoune restored order with second-half tries as the hosts ultimately bounced back from a humbling 36-14 round-one loss away to France.
Prendergast struggles create more questions but Ireland narrowly survive Italy scare
Farrell: 'We showed great character'
16:58 , Chris WilsonIreland head coach Andy Farrell had this to say after the final whistle:
"I thought we showed great character. Italy do not lie down like they have done in recent years. I am so unbelievably proud of the team. They showed a lot of character and that will stand us in good stead.
"We stood strong at the end and, after a spotty first half, I was a lot happier with the second half performance."
FULL-TIME! Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:50 , Chris Wilson“It was a brilliant performance from Italy, they didn't get the win but they backed up the performance after Scotland again today,” said 2014 World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi.
“The scrum, I have never seen Furlong put up on his feet! I feel sorry for Italy because they didn't get the result but next week will be big for them,” she added.
Ireland fixtures
16:40 , Chris WilsonHere’s the list of remaining Ireland fixtures for this year’s Six Nations:
21 February
England vs Ireland - 2.10pm
6 March
Ireland vs Wales - 8.10pm
14 March
Ireland vs Scotland - 2.10pm
O'Driscoll: 'It was about a result more than a performance'
16:35 , Chris Wilson“We said beforehand it was about a result more than a performance,” says former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll.
“In parts I thought they were good but to be honest, it's not the Ireland we have expected in the last few years but they will take solace from the fact that's a good Italian team. It was tough opposition and they ground it out,” he added.
Doris: 'It was a proper battle'
16:31 , Chris WilsonHere’s what Ireland captain Caelan Doris had to say at full-time:
“It was a proper battle but we're delighted to come out on the right side. Italy tested us and made us work hard but relieved we got over the line,” he explained.
"It wasn't perfect but there was good intent in the second half which is what we spoke about during the week.
"We need to get better at turning pressure into points,” he added.
FULL-TIME! Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:25 , Chris Wilson“A few decent individual performances but, overall, that is not a performance that will give England too many sleepless nights ahead of next week's game,” says former Ireland forward Mike McCarthy.
“The scrum is a big concern for me,” adds the ex- Irelandsecond row.
FULL-TIME! Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:17 , Chris WilsonWell, an unconvincing performance from Ireland but they got it done in the end in a game that was brilliant watching for the neutral.
The Italians probably deserved a draw in the end (at least) but they once again leave Dublin empty-handed – though that performance will provide plenty of hope for the near-future.
As for Ireland, they’re underway in their Six Nations campaign, but they’ll need to be better against England next week if they want a result!
FULL-TIME! Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:11 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:08 , Chris Wilson83 mins
Everyone seems to think Ireland might go for the bonus point but Crowley kicks it out and Ireland take the win!
A dramatic win for the hosts in Dublin after a superb game!
Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:07 , Chris Wilson80 mins
Into the red and Italy attack!
They work it through the hands and Pani does well but he’s stopped, before a great tackle from Ringrose kills their momentum for now.
Into the 10th phase and Italy are pushed back behind the 22...
...And Lowe intercepts! He could be through here!
He’s tackled eventually but that has settled it, Ireland winning a penalty to give them a chance for the bonus point!
Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:04 , Chris Wilson79 mins
Italy work it through the phases in midfield and Edogbo is penalised for slowing it down in the ruck.
Garbisi kicks for touch and Baloucoune is so close to preventing it!
One final line-out coming...
Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:02 , Chris Wilson78 mins
Ireland win the scrum and Osborne goes for maximum length on the kick. It’ll be an Italy line-out on Ireland’s 10m line.
The visitors win it and Garbisi goes for the kick along the ground, but Ireland collect it!
Gibson-Park with the box kick but it’s straight into Italy hands...
Ireland 20-13 Italy
16:00 , Chris Wilson77 mins
Italy win the line-out and Garbisi clips a lovelty chip over the Ireland defence, but it doesn’t bounce kindly for Menoncello and he knocks it on!
Scrum right under the posts for the hosts.
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:58 , Chris Wilson75 mins
Italy win the line-out and some good running from Menoncello sets up a ruck that Ireland are penalised in.
Garbisi opts to kick into the 22.
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:56 , Chris Wilson74 mins
Well into the final 10 minutes now and Italy are working it into the Ireland half. Good work from Odogwu to decide against the offload.
More good work from Lynagh to break the tackle and offload. The visitors are into the 22!
Garbisi has to resort to the high kick but Ireland collect it and Gibson-Park chooses to clear it long.
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:52 , Chris Wilson70 mins
A clever kick from Gibson-Park finds the space behind the Italy defence and lands near their 5m line. However, Italy end up winning a scrum.
And Edwin Edogbo makes his Test debut, coming on for Ryan!
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:50 , Chris Wilson68 mins
More changes from both sides, with O'Toole on for Loughman for the hosts and Odogwu and Odiase replacing Marin and Cannone for Italy.
PENALTY! Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:48 , Chris Wilson66 mins
Another change for Italy, as scrum-half Alessandro Garbisi comes on for Fusco.
The visitors win a penalty from the scrum and Garbisi opts to kick for three - he nails it and they’re back within seven.
PENALTY! Ireland 20-10 Italy
15:44 , Chris Wilson62 mins
Ireland with all the momentum now. They win a penalty advantage but Gibson-Park can’t pick out Baloucoune with the cross-field kick.
The hosts choose to kick and Crowley extends their lead by another three!
Subs from Italy, with Spagnolo, Di Bartolomeo, Hasa and Ruzza coming on for Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari and Zambonin.
TRY! Ireland 17-10 Italy
15:41 , Chris Wilson59 mins
TRY! What a passage of play that is.
Ireland keep it alive and work it wide to an isolated Izuchuwku, and he does well to keep possession.
The hosts work it back in-field and a one-handed, NFL-style pass from McCloskey sees the ball shifted to Baloucoune again, and the winger steps past one challenge and hands off another before diving over to finish brilliantly!
Crowley delivers another two with the conversion.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:38 , Chris Wilson58 mins
Oh, almost superb from Ireland, moving it down the line with almost every back having a touch before Baloucoune’s pass is too low for Lowe.
However, the winger controls well with his foot to keep the attack alive...
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:37 , Chris Wilson56 mins
Ireland kick away an advantage and Ioane capitalises with some great running, eventually feeding Cannone before Lynagh is pushed into touch.
More Ireland subs, as Prendergast comes off for Jack Crowley.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:34 , Chris Wilson53 mins
Back for a scrum and Ireland win the free-kick. Prendergast goes long and for some reason Lynagh lets it bounce, allowing Ireland to gain even more ground as Kelleher collects!
We’ve had a few Ireland subs too, Kelleher and Beirne replacing Sheehan and McCarthy in the forwards and Gibson-Park coming on for Casey at 9.
NO TRY! Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:32 , Chris Wilson53 mins
NO TRY! Oh, what a shame for Italy!
It was a brilliant move, Menoncello dummying well before driving forward and hurling a pass for Lynagh to cross.
However, the Italy 13 had thrown the pass slightly forward and the try is chalked off!
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:30 , Chris Wilson52 mins
TRY! Italy have crossed the line but is it a forward pass?
The TMO is reviewing it...
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:29 , Chris Wilson51 mins
We’ve had the first sub of the day too, Furlong coming on for Clarkson at the beginning of the half.
Plenty of tempo to this one in a frenetic start to the second half.
A clever steal from Ireland provides some reprieve but Italy come again...
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:27 , Chris Wilson48 mins
Half a chance for Italy as they kick into touch around the 10m line, but they lose the line-out! Izuchukwu steals and Ireland clear.
Italy come back on the attack though, Cannone slipping a great pass to Pani but Ireland covering well.
TRY! Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:21 , Chris Wilson43 mins
Ireland win a penalty and it’s kicked into the corner.
The hosts power towards the line in a couple of phases...and they’re over!
Conan goes low and crosses, though Prendergast misses another conversion and the scores are level!
KICK-OFF! Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:18 , Chris WilsonIreland get us restarted and Baloucoune collects brilliantly!
HALF-TIME! Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:16 , Chris WilsonBoth teams are back in the tunnel at the Aviva, so we’ll be back underway soon.
An important team talk from Andy Farrell there.
HALF-TIME! Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:10 , Chris WilsonSo, Italy have never won in Dublin, but they’re halfway to doing so this afternoon!
They’ve certainly been the better side so far at the Aviva, though they’ll need a huge second half – and likely a slice of luck – to secure the victory.
Plenty to ponder at half-time for both sides but it’s been an intriguing opening in Dublin!
HALF-TIME! Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:06 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:03 , Chris WilsonThe clocks ticks past 40 minutes as Ireland load a scrum.
It’s stuck in the tunnel and Italy win a penalty! Garbisi kicks for touch to give his side one last chance at the end of the half.
Italy win the line-out unchallenged...but the maul is moved on and McCloskey does briliantly to win the ball in the tackle to hold it up!
Half-time and the visitors lead by five points, but could that final passage prove pivotal?
Ireland 5-10 Italy
14:59 , Chris Wilson39 mins
Some good Italy phases but a clever offload is knocked on. Prendergast collects but a poor kick allows Italy possession again.
Pani brings it forward but the kick is too long and Osborne touches down for a drop out.
Ireland 5-10 Italy
14:57 , Chris Wilson37 mins
Huge reaction from Italy as they win a penalty on their scrum. There are some afters between the two sets of players but it’s all clear.
Garbisi kicks for the line-out and secures it.
That yellow card will stay as a yellow for Casey – he was “going backwards” so there’s a “high degree of mitigation”.
TRY! Ireland 5-10 Italy
14:53 , Chris Wilson34 mins
A great chance for Italy to get ahead here. They take their line-out on the 10m line...
...and they’re over! They form the maul and spin to the right before Nicotera goes over.
Garbisi splits the posts with a lovely kick to add two.
YELLOW CARD! Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:50 , Chris Wilson32 mins
Italy enter the 22 but a poor pass sees Italy fumble the ball forward.
Elsewhere, the referee is reviewing a penalty for a high tackle, with Craig Casey guilty of foul play.
The Ireland scrum half gets a yellow card.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:47 , Chris Wilson30 mins
Almost a nasty collision as Pani and Ringrose compete for a catchm but both players seem okay. Pani needs a bit of treatment after landing awkwardly.
Italy win a penalty and Garbisi goes for touch, landing just about on the 22.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:45 , Chris Wilson28 mins
A few good phases from Italy but Osborne collects a kick before feeding it to Lowe, who collects his own kick to move the hosts up the pitch.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:42 , Chris Wilson24 mins
So close for the visitors! Pani collects a kick and then chips over the defenders, collecting it to skip past one tackle.
He’s taken down and he has support but he can’t get enough height on the offload and it’s knocked on! He would’ve been in there.
Lynagh is back on for the visitors.
PENALTY! Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:37 , Chris Wilson20 mins
There’s a line-out from the restart and Italy win a penalty. Garbisi opts for the kick and slots it between the posts for three.
TRY! Ireland 5-0 Italy
14:34 , Chris Wilson17 mins
TRY! Ireland have the opener!
The hosts work it through the phases and Stuart McCloskey breaks the tackle before offloading superbly to Jamie Osborne, who is free to cross the line unchallenged.
Prendergast misses the conversion and the lead is by five!
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:31 , Chris Wilson15 mins
Some good running from Baloucoune sees Ireland gain plenty of ground, but some great counter-rucking from the visitors see them secure a turnover as Lowe was stopped within 10 metres.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:29 , Chris Wilson13 mins
Perhaps a little harsh, that yellow, as the catch was on and Lynagh made a similar one moments ago.
We continue, and sloppy hands in midfield from Ireland see Italy scoop up possession before the hosts win a scrum not far from halfway.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:27 , Chris Wilson11 mins
It is indeed a yellow card for Lynagh, with the line-break opportunity evident. We’ll see him in 10 minutes!
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:26 , Chris Wilson10 mins
Ireland look to get out of their half but Ioane collects Prendergast’s kick before Garbisi kicks wide and it’s collected well by Lynagh. He tries to feed in Menoncello but the latter can’t connect well with the kick.
Moments later, we might have a yellow card here as Lynagh is penalised for a deliberate knock-on.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:21 , Chris Wilson8 mins
Ireland get a penalty advantage for offside before Prendergast sees his kick attempt blocked.
Dan Sheehan lines up the tap and go for the hosts...and Italy win a penalty!
Sheehan jumps into the tackle as he tries to go high and it’s given against him.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:19 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Ireland win a penalty from the scrum and they kick deep into the 22 for a line-out.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:17 , Chris Wilson3 mins
Baloucoune gets his first involvement - you can see he’s a worry for the visiting defence – but Italy turn over possession before their first move down the line ends with a stray pass and a scrum.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:15 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Prendergast is caught a little isolated just outside his own 22 but he’s lucky as his forwards are quick enough to avoid a turnover.
KICK-OFF! Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:13 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in Dublin!
Scottish referee Hollie Davidson gets us started – she becomes the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations match.
Ireland vs Italy live
14:05 , Chris WilsonThe teams are out of the tunnel at the Aviva, so we’ll have the national anthems and then we’ll be underway!
Ireland vs Italy live
14:00 , Chris Wilson
Ireland vs Italy match officials
13:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleReferee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Luc Ramos (Fra)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
Who is Hollie Davidson? Ireland vs Italy referee makes Six Nations history
Forward battle in focus
13:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleSimone Ferrari was outstanding for Italy last week, giving Pierre Schoeman a nightmare day that has led to the Scotland prop’s benching. Italy’s set-piece dominance was key to them establishing an unassailable lead before the rain fell in Rome - conditions won’t quite be like that today but they might fancy their chances against an Irish pack with a few moving parts.
That said, there are plenty of lineout options in Andy Farrell’s side. I’m excited to see Cormac Izuchukwu - I’ve tracked the rangy back five forward closely since watching him star at RugbyX, Ben Ryan’s slightly strange five-a-side tournament at the O2 in London, in 2019.
Italy growing all the time
13:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s worth reflecting on the significance of Italy’s win over Scotland, which came not as a real shock but more evidence of their improvement. Remember that Gonzalo Quesada’s side are missing a host of regular starters, from Marco Riccioni on the tighthead to Seb Negri and Ross Vintcent in the back row and all the way to Ange Capuozzo, Edoardo Todaro and co. in the back three.
Capuozzo is back in camp and may be amongst things later in the championship, but a player like Leonardo Marin is a great example of the depth they’ve built - having filled in very impressively at No 15, he reverts into a midfield pairing with Tommaso Menoncello that has gone well for Benetton this season.
A debut for Edwin Edogbo
13:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleEdwin Edogbo is set to make his first international appearance this afternoon, a moment that might have arrived sooner if not for a frustrating run of injuries. Here’s what we wrote about the talented lock when we picked him out as one of our new faces to watch ahead of the tournament:
Team news - Italy
13:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly are forced into a backline reshuffle with Juan Ignacio Brex unavailable for personal reasons. Leonardo Marin moves forward from full-back to fill in at inside centre, necessitating the introduction of Lorenzo Pani to the back three and shifting of Tommaso Menoncello to 13.
The bench is a six forwards to two backs split, with David Odiase and Paolo Odogwu bolstering the unit.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Michele Lamaro (capt.), 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Alessandro Fusco, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Leonardo Marin, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Lorenzo Pani.
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.
Team news - Ireland
13:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt is a new-look Irish side in places as Ulster pair Cormac Izuchukwu and Robert Baloucoune set for their first involvement in the Six Nations. Flanker Izuchukwu joins a shuffled back row with captain Caelan Doris deployed on the openside and Jack Conan promoted to start at No 8, while Baloucoune and a recalled James Lowe are the wings.
Talented Munster lock Edwin Edogbo is primed for an international debut from the bench.
Ireland XV: 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Thomas Clarkson; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 7 Caelan Doris (capt.), 8 Jack Conan; 9 Craig Casey, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 James Lowe, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Robert Baloucoune; 15 Jamie Osborne.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Tadhg Beirne, 21 Nick Timoney; 22 Jamison Gibson-Park, 23 Jack Crowley.
Saturday's team. pic.twitter.com/IMsR0u9jE9
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 12, 2026
Team news on the way...
13:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, kick off is speeding into view at the Aviva Stadium. Let’s take a closer look at the two teams...
The minor Six Nations change that could have a major impact on this year’s champions
12:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleBoth teams would normally be readying themselves for a rest weekend after this second fixture, but the change of schedule for this year’s championship means there is just one fallow week in which the Six Nations sides can take stock. It makes this all the more important for Ireland, particularly, who could find themselves reeling into a meeting with England at Twickenham next week.
The minor Six Nations change that could have a major impact on this year’s champions
Ireland captain Caelan Doris explains how Italy have changed
12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle"It's no longer a case of them just being a very passionate team," said Caelan Doris of Italy this week.
"They've got a properly good attack now, defensively they've always been pretty strong and are willing to get off the line and hit properly and you saw that last week in the wet conditions.
"Their scrum has improved quite a lot, they've got a big pack but I think probably their biggest weapon is their attack with the back three they have, with some of the forwards, their ability to play at the line, but also pull it back, play wide and deep.
"For us it all starts with the collision."
More good signs for Italy
12:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother good sign for Italy is the talent coming through their U20s program, which has been consistently competitive for several years after hard work by Conor O’Shea to remodel the pathways during his stint as Azzurri head coach. Ireland ultimately edged a 30-27 thriller last night in Cork, but it was a proper contest.
Italy's Aviva struggles
12:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt is 13 years since Italy secured their fourth win over Ireland, but there is growing hope that run could end today. The Azzurri were unfortunate not to come out victorious last year at the Stadio Olimpico, although their record at the Aviva Stadium in the Six Nations is wretched: in seven previous championship meetings here, the average scoreline is 49-10 to the hosts.
Michele Lamaro explains key to Italy success
12:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly captain Michele Lamaro has insisted his side are fully focussed on playing their own game as they seek history in Dublin.
"We want to get to Dublin and play our game,” Lamaro beganThey've had a few extra days to train, and they're coming off a defeat on the opening day. It'll be tough: we need to prepare as best we can and be ready for a battle. We want to try to maintain consistency.
“Too long-term goals can distract us from what we can actually control. Our main goal is to improve our performance game after game. Obviously, we never stop dreaming and we always go out there to win, but as we've always said, the result depends on the performance, and the one in Dublin will have to be even better than the one against Scotland."
Hollie Davidson makes history
12:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere will be another significant moment for referee Hollie Davidson as she takes charge in Dublin, in the process becoming the first woman to take charge of a men’s Six Nations match.
Who is Hollie Davidson? Ireland vs Italy referee makes Six Nations history
Captain Caelan Doris sends strong message to teammates
11:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleCaptain Caelan Doris said Ireland cannot afford to have any "passengers" against Italy as he urged team-mates to take greater individual responsibility.
Andy Farrell's side are under pressure to produce a performance in the Dublin clash with the Azzurri in the wake of a dispiriting round-one defeat away to reigning Guinness Six Nations champions France.
Head coach Farrell has made six changes to his starting XV, including handing championship debuts to flanker Cormac Izuchukwu and wing Robert Baloucoune and naming uncapped lock Edwin Edogbo on the bench.
Doris, who switches from number eight to openside flanker, said: "It's an exciting team we've got tomorrow. There's obviously a few changes, so getting cohesion through the week has been important.
"The message to those guys (coming into the team) is to trust themselves.
"Same with all of us really off the back of a defeat like that; doubling down on what we're good at, doing things properly with intent, enjoying it and enjoying it from doing things properly with intent as well.
"Creating a feeling through how we show up with actions, and it can be infectious that. But also to the new guys it's making sure they own it and make it feel like it's properly theirs.
"You can't have any passengers tomorrow, so, yeah, full ownership from everyone."
Six Nations 2026 schedule in full: Fixtures and results
11:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleNeed a reminder of the Six Nations schedule? We’ve got you covered:
Juan Ignacio Brex absent for Italy
11:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is no Juan Ignacio Brex for Italy today in a bit of a blow, with the stalwart centre absent for personal reasons. We wish him well - it is a shame for Italy that his partnership with Tommaso Menoncello has been broken up and they are without a key leader, but it sounds like a sensible decision has been made.
"Nacho is a player of great value to the team, both on and off the pitch, but in managing the team, the human aspect and family will always be a priority in my opinion,” said coach Gonzalo Quesada.
”We discussed it with him, and the decision we made is the best one. To stay focused on your work, it's important to remain calm: in every area, with players and staff, we work with individuals first, rather than professionals.”
Andy Farrell demands response after Irish soul-searching
11:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleAndy Farrell insists Ireland are ready make amends following some frank conversations and "soul-searching" in the wake of their chastening Guinness Six Nations defeat to France.
The head coach accused his players of lacking intent during a one-sided championship opener in Paris which further fuelled talk of Ireland being a team in decline.
Farrell has responded by making six personnel changes to his starting XV for the round-two clash with Italy in Dublin.
Asked about the inquest into the 36-14 loss at Stade de France, Farrell replied: "A lot of it will stay with us because a lot of it is private enough.
"But as you can imagine, because of the good people we've got in the environment, there was a lot of honesty and a bit of soul-searching for reasons why.
"We've addressed all that and got back on the horse, put the boots back on and had a couple of training sessions and got to the business end of the week now and we're ready to put a performance on that we should be proud of.
"To get back on the horse and put that right is at the forefront of everyone's mind."
Ireland hand Six Nations debuts to Ulster pair in new-look side to face Italy
11:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleAndy Farrell has freshened up his side for today’s fixture, with a couple of Six Nations debutants from Ulster and Edwin Edogbo awaiting his first cap.
Ireland hand Six Nations debuts to Ulster pair in new-look side to face Italy
The harsh truths Ireland must confront after heavy France defeat
11:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was a tough start to the tournament for Andy Farrell’s side, with an opening night defeat to France displaying a few tough truths about Ireland.
The harsh truths Ireland must confront after heavy France defeat
Ireland vs Italy live
Wednesday 11 February 2026 10:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleRound two of the Six Nations leaps into action with a fascinating clash between Ireland and Italy in Dublin. The mood in the two camps could not be more contrasting, with Andy Farrell’s hosts reeling from a tough night in Paris that perhaps illustrated a wider slump, and the Azzurri eying a first ever win here after beating Scotland and the conditions in Rome.
Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 2.10pm GMT.
