Italy are eyeing an upset as they travel to Dublin in round two of the Six Nations to take on a wounded Ireland side.
Gonzalo Quesada’s side took another significant step forwards with an opening win in wretched conditions against Scotland in Rome, and now seek a spot of history. The Azzurri have not beaten Ireland in Dublin in this championship, but arrive full of confidence that they can mix it with Andy Farrell’s hosts.
Farrell and his squad have had nine days to stew over a difficult first outing, with Ireland outclassed by France to raise a few tough truths about their rebuild. A frustrated Farrell suggested his side had shown a lack of intent in that Paris performance and the head coach will no doubt be expecting a reaction as they look to get their campaign back on track, with Tadhg Furlong a welcome returnee at prop.
Follow all of the latest from the Aviva Stadium with our live blog below:
Ireland vs Italy live
- Ireland host Italy in round two of the Six Nations | Live on ITV with kick off at 2.10pm GMT
- Hosts are bidding to bounce back from a difficult start against France
- Italy have never beaten Ireland in Dublin but are high on confidence following Scotland win
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.
