The 2026 Six Nations continues this afternoon as Ireland host Italy in the opening game of round two in Dublin. The hosts are desperate to bounce back quickly from their opening night defeat in Paris, when an injury-hit squad were easily brushed aside 36-14 by defending champions France. Andy Farrell was furious with the manner of that loss as he questioned his players’ desire and intent, before making six changes to face the Azzurri.
Ulster duo Robert Baloucoune and Cormac Izuchukwu will both make their Six Nations debuts today, while James Lowe is among those also recalled as Edwin Edogbo prepares to make his maiden Test appearance off the bench. Ireland have dominated Italy in this competition, running up some huge scores at home in the process, but Gonzalo Quesada’s side arrive at the Aviva Stadium full of confidence after stunning Scotland in rain-soaked Rome last weekend.
Italy are missing influential centre Juan Ignacio Brex for this game due to family reasons, with Lorenzo Pani picked for his first international start since 2024 as part of a backline reshuffle. Follow Ireland vs Italy in the Six Nations live below!
Ireland vs Italy latest news
- TRY! Baloucoune completes backs move
- TRY! Conan levels it up
- TRY! Italy take lead through Nicotera
- TRY! Osborne opens the scoring
- Team news
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:56 , Arthur Ferridge74mins: Garbisi rolls the dice with a kick to the wing, but it does not quite come off. That Italy attack must have had at least 20 phases!
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:55 , Arthur Ferridge73mins: This is a very encouraging attack from Italy, who have kept the ball in hand for a good few minutes.
They are making steady progress towards the in-goal.
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:53 , Arthur FerridgeJust ten minutes for Italy to turn this around. It has been a topsy-turvy match thus far, so you’d think anything could happen!
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:52 , Arthur Ferridge70mins: Edogbo comes on to make his Ireland debut.
Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:51 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: A very smart box kick from Gibson-Park hands Italy a lineout about 7m back from their own try-line.
The Azzurri win the lineout, though, and kick clear.
PENALTY! Ireland 20-13 Italy
15:48 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: Garbisi opts to go for points from that penalty. It is far from a routine kick, but he slots it without issue and Italy are back within one try.
Ireland 20-10 Italy
15:46 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: Italy dominate another scrum in the attacking half. Could that be the instant that flips the momentum here?
PENALTY! Ireland 20-10 Italy
15:44 , Arthur Ferridge63mins: Crowley slots over to put Ireland ten points clear.
Ireland 17-10 Italy
15:43 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: Ireland continuing to tighten their grip now. An audacious kick out to the wing in search of Baloucoune doesn’t quite come off, but there was an earlier penalty advantage and Crowley lines up a shot at the posts.
Ireland 17-10 Italy
15:41 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Well, Ireland are in the groove now and Italy are totally at sea. A kick through and subsequent spirited chase from the hosts causes panic among the back three, who manage to find Menoncello and kick away.
TRY! Ireland 17-10 Italy | Baloucoune '57
15:39 , Arthur FerridgeIreland lead! The game is opening considerably and Ireland’s backs are having a bit of fun with the ball in hand. The moves aren’t quite perfect but the ball is whipping from wing to wing. Italy get stretched and Baloucoune goes over!
Third time lucky on the conversion.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:36 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: Prendergast is replaced by Crowley.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:35 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: Italy’s latest attack comes to an end after a wayward offload from Menoncello, which Lynagh can’t quite recover despite his best efforts.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:35 , Arthur Ferridge55mins: Zuliani intercepts a pass and makes a great break forward. Italy are back on the front foot!
NO TRY! Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:31 , Arthur FerridgeDavidson chalks it off! We’re back level...
Can’t imagine this will stand...
But wait - the TMO is checking the try! Did Menoncello’s pass go forward?
TRY! Ireland 10-15 Italy | Lynagh '52
15:30 , Arthur FerridgeA lovely move from Italy! Menoncello breaks the Ireland line and cruises through. He dishes wide to Lynagh, who finishes.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:29 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Italy lay siege to the Ireland defence but they stand firm and Furlong poaches possession. Ireland kick clear and their guests come again.
Really lively stuff in this second half. Great rugby.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:26 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: Italy’s turn to dazzle! A lovely bit of wing play as the Azzurri flow down the right flank, but Osborne tackles Pani out of play in the corner.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:25 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Izuchukwu nicks an Italy lineout to deny the Azzurri the opportunity to attack from close range. Great defensive rugby.
Ireland 10-10 Italy
15:22 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: If not for the missed conversion, that would have been a perfect start to the half for Ireland. They won’t be complaining with a try, though, and now the onus is back on Italy to affect this match.
TRY! Ireland 10-10 Italy | Conan '43
15:21 , Arthur FerridgeWhat a start from Ireland! They take their lineout short and batter into the Italy line, scoring within a couple of phases.
The conversion misses again! Tie game...
Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:19 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Ireland win a penalty within kicking range but decide against going for points. Prendergast kicks to the corner.
Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:19 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Tadgh Furlong is on for the hosts. Will he have an impact here?
2ND HALF: Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:18 , Arthur FerridgeWe are back underway!
Nearly time to get back underway, and Ireland have it all to do.
Will Andy Farrell have given his squad the hairdryer treatment? If so, will it have had an effect?
Oh, to be a fly on the wall...
HALF-TIME: Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:03 , Arthur FerridgeItaly are held up within 5m, and as far as Davidson is concerned, that will be that. Its a missed opportunity for the Azzurri, whose lead stands at five points at the break.
Yet more argy-bargy after the whistle goes. This has been a really tense afternoon in Dublin.
Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:02 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Italy kick to the corner but their maul from the subsequent lineout goes nowhere. They spin it wide and will try again elsewhere.
Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:02 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Scratch that, Garbisi kicks to touch. It’ll be all or nothing!
Ireland 5-10 Italy
15:01 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Italy continue to dominate the scrum. They push Ireland back several metres to win back possession and they are awarded a penalty, which Garbisi will shoot.
Ireland 5-10 Italy
14:59 , Arthur Ferridge40mins: Italy remain on the ball as we approach last play, looking to extend their lead before the break, but Lynagh’s knock hands the ball back to Ireland.
Ireland 5-10 Italy
14:56 , Arthur Ferridge38mins: Casey’s yellow card will NOT be upgraded to a red.
Ireland 5-10 Italy
14:55 , Arthur Ferridge37mins: Yet more fisticuffs on pitch as a scrum collapses and Ireland let their frustrations boil over. Italy awarded a penalty.
TRY! Ireland 5-10 Italy | Nicotera '34
14:53 , Arthur FerridgeItaly respond immediately! They kick to the corner and maul over the line for a textbook try, finished by Nicotera, which should leave them in front at the break.
Garbisi converts!
YELLOW CARD! Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:50 , Arthur FerridgeBad to worse for the hosts. Casey is seen to have gone upright into a tackle. There is head contact, and Davidson brandishes a yellow card towards the Ireland No9.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:49 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: The TMO is back in action, with Casey being investigated for foul play.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:49 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: A hugely promising Italy attack is cut short after a comic knock-on from Ferrari loops over the Ireland line.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:47 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: More sloppy work from Ireland in possession. They turn the ball over from Italy but immediately lose it through a knock on.
They have a moment to collect themselves as Pani is treated for a hard fall.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:44 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: This has not been a hugely convincing first half from Ireland, and Italy have really grown into this tie since their slow start. It goes without saying that the two-point lead is far from comfortable.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:41 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: A gorgeous kick through from Pani has Italy clean through, but the No15’s offload is knocked on. That’ll be a tough one to take.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:40 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: Lynagh is back on for Italy, and is immediately made to defend Lowe, who is making a real nuisance of himself. The visitors are struggling to contain him.
Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:38 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: To state the obvious, Ireland badly need to score here. They have been wasteful in two of their three visits to the red zone this afternoon, and they could very likely come to rue those missed opportunities.
Their most recent attack ends with a sloppy knock-on.
PENALTY! Ireland 5-3 Italy
14:36 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Izuchukwu gives a penalty away right in front of the Ireland posts, and Garbisi lines up a kick.
He slots it to trim Ireland’s lead to two.
TRY! Ireland 5-0 Italy | Osborne '17
14:33 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the breakthrough! Long-awaited and well deserved. Ireland were bearing down on the Italy in-goal, making steady progress with brutal forward phases, before Osborne picked a spot and ran through to score.
Prendergast sends the conversion wide.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:30 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Ireland flood forward after winning a scrum deep in their own half, but Italy recover brilliantly to force a turnover on their own 5m line. Very impressive defending from the Azzurri, but, likewise, a missed opportunity for the hosts, who remain pointless after twice crossing the 22m line.
YELLOW CARD! Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:26 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: A huge setback for Italy as Lynagh is shown the yellow card after a TMO review for a deliberate knock-on, which denied Lowe the opportunity to break.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:25 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Italy are quickly racking up the penalties here. The TMO is in play as referee Davidson looks to decide whether an Italy knock-on was deliberate or not.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:24 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: A first positive Italy attack ends as Menoncello attempts a cheeky grubber down the right wing, but there is just a little too much mustard on it and it rolls out the back.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:23 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: More tactical kicks from Italy doesn’t quite come good as Osborne rises highest to beat his opposite man to the catch. Ireland back on the attack now - Italy can’t keep the ball in hand!
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:21 , Arthur Ferridge7mins: Ireland’s 5m penalty is taken by Sheehan, who attempted to jump over the Italian tackle.
The Italians do not take kindly to it and there are some handbags after Davidson awards a penalty, but it quickly dissipates and the Azzurri kick away.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:20 , Arthur Ferridge7mins: A gorgeous long pass finds Lowe on the left flank and he drives hard at the try-line, but is stopped short. Prendergast looks to chip through and fails, but Ireland had an advantage and will come again. Brief reprieve for Italy here, who have definitely started worse.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:19 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: Ireland dominate the first scrum of the day and are awarded a penalty after Ferrari lost his feet. They kick to touch and set about attacking the Italy in-goal.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:16 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Some lovely front-footed rugby here from Ireland draws ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the crowd, but Italy recover the ball with a smart poach shortly after. Their first proper spell of possession ends promptly with a penalty which the hosts kick to touch.
Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:14 , Arthur Ferridge1min: A bit of a shaky start from Ireland as Casey rather undercooks his box-kick, but the hosts recover and kick clear a few phases later. Italy return the favour, and now those in green have the ball in hand.
KICK-OFF! Ireland 0-0 Italy
14:13 , Arthur FerridgeWe are UNDERWAY in Dublin! Italy get the ball rolling.
Just as moving an anthemic performance from Ireland.
Now, let’s get down to business - there’s rugby to be played!
The Italy squad have laid down the gauntlet with a rousing rendition of Il Canto degli Italiani.
Can Ireland respond?
Nearly time to go
14:01 , Arthur FerridgeThe players are taking to the pitch.
Kick-off is imminent!
Team news reminder
14:00 , Arthur FerridgeTen minutes to kick-off! Here’s a reminder of how we line up this afternoon.
Ireland XV: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; S Prendergast, Casey; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Izuchukwu, Doris (c), Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, O'Toole, Furlong, Edogbo, Beirne, Timoney, Gibson-Park, Crowley
Italy XV: Pani; Lynagh, Marin, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari; N Cannone, Zambonin; Lamaro (c), Zuliani, L Cannone
Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, Odiase, A Garbisi, Odogwu
Coin toss
13:59 , Arthur FerridgeItaly win the toss!
Lowe tips Baloucoune to shine today
13:55 , Arthur Ferridge"It's an awesome opportunity, it's been a while since he's been in with us. He's a specimen, he's six foot four and runs like the wind. He frustrates me so much with all his athletic ability so hopefully he has prepared extraordinarily well this week and we can get a big performance from him."
McCarthy insists Ireland ready to bounce back from France defeat
13:49 , Arthur Ferridge"When you get a big enough loss like that you definitely haven't done a few things right.
"It was a tough pill to swallow and it was a big opportunity to start the Six Nations, but you don't get a second chance.
"It was a tough review but we are focused on getting better. There is still a lot of belief in the group."
A potential difference maker?
13:41 , Arthur FerridgeItaly stole five lineouts from Scotland in their Six Nations opener.
They could cause this ailing Ireland side a lot of headaches if they can keep that form up today.
Fans begin to arrive
13:32 , Arthur FerridgeSure to be a superb atmosphere in Dublin today.
As it stands
13:23 , Arthur FerridgeAhead of this, the first match of matchday two in the 2026 Six Nations, the standings are naturally congested.
After their day one defeat, Ireland find themselves in an unfamiliar fifth place, better only than abject Wales.
Italy, meanwhile, are third after they stunned Scotland on day one.
Here are the standings in full...
1) England, +41, 5pts
2) France, +22, 5pts
3) Italy, +3, 4pts
4) Scotland, -3, 1pt
5) Ireland, -22, 0pts
6) Wales, -41, 0pts
Last time out: Italy 18-15 Scotland
13:15 , Arthur FerridgePressure mounted on Gregor Townsend as Scotland suffered a disastrous Guinness Six Nations start by losing 18-15 to Italy in rain-lashed Rome.
The fired-up Azzurri raced into a 12-point lead within 14 minutes and the Scots - with back-three big-hitters Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe all dropped amid question marks over their form - were unable to get their attack firing in response, while their set-piece continually malfunctioned.
As Italy held firm for a deserved victory on a sodden Stadio Olimpico surface, it was the first time since 2020 that Townsend's side had lost their opening game of the Six Nations.
The timing of this horror show in the Eternal City could hardly be worse for the long-serving head coach, given that his position was already under intense scrutiny after a poor autumn campaign and following his contentious decision to take on a part-time consultancy role with Red Bull.
Read the full report from Italy’s Six Nations opener here!
Last time out: France 36-14 Ireland
13:06 , Arthur FerridgeIreland endured a punishing night in Paris as reigning champions France launched their Guinness Six Nations title defence by romping to a 36-14 bonus-point victory.
Andy Farrell's men were unfancied underdogs ahead of the tournament opener at a soggy Stade de France amid an ongoing transitional phase hampered by a host of injuries.
The depleted visitors were duly outclassed as Antoine Dupont marked his first international match since rupturing knee ligaments in Dublin 11 months ago by leading Les Bleus to a statement success.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey resumed the fine form which saw him crowned player of the championship in 2025 with two tries, either side of scores from Matthieu Jalibert and Charles Ollivon.
Ireland eventually hit back through quick-fire consolations from replacements Nick Timoney and Michael Milne, converted by Sam Prendergast.
But, despite a powerful impact from the Irish bench, France completed the job through wing Theo Attissogbe, with full-back Thomas Ramos landing a penalty and four conversions.
Read the full report from Ireland’s Six Nations opener here!
Debutant: Edwin Edogbo
12:57 , Arthur FerridgeEdwin Edogbo is up for his test debut today, with Andy Farrell naming the Munster lock to his bench.
The highly-rated young forward has struggled with injury through his youth career, but has starred this season and earned a first call-up.
He will be one to watch in the second-half today when Farrell starts making changes.
Ireland captain Caelan Doris previews the tie
12:47 , Arthur Ferridge"It's an exciting team we've got [for Saturday].
"There's obviously a few changes, so getting cohesion through the week has been important. The message to those guys [coming in] 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."
A piece of history
12:38 , Arthur FerridgeHollie Davidson will today become the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations match.
The 33-year-old Scot picked up a whistle in 2015 after being forced to retire from her playing career through injury.
A highly experienced referee, she first took charge of a test in 2018 and oversaw the Women’s World Cup final at Twickenham last September.
Ireland vs Italy head to head
12:30 , Arthur Ferridge13 years have now passed since the last of Italy’s four wins over Ireland, a shock 22-15 triumph in Rome in March 2013.
That is their only Six Nations triumph in this fixture to date, with the other trio of victories coming back in the 1990s.
A tour win in 1997 was the Azzurri’s only success so far in Dublin, with Ireland having won the last 16 meetings in a row across all competitions and 33 of the last 34 dating back to 1999 - including a 36-0 rout on home soil in 2024 and 22-17 away victory on Super Saturday last year.
Ireland wins 34
Italy wins: 4
Draws: 0
Latest match odds
12:22 , Arthur FerridgeIreland to win: 1/10
Italy to win: 7/1
Draw: 40/1
Odds via BetFair (subject to change).
Standard Sport prediction
12:14 , Arthur FerridgeIreland have dominated Italy in the Six Nations, racking up some huge wins and scorelines - especially at home in Dublin.
But the Azzurri will head to the Aviva feeling that they may never have a better chance to record a maiden away victory in this fixture, with the mood among the Irish fanbase very low indeed but Italian rugby going from strength to strength (Zebre’s performances in the URC notwithstanding).
Farrell was absolutely fuming after his side’s no-show against France and will demand an immediate response here having rung the changes.
We think he will get just that to lift morale ahead of a tough trip to Twickenham to face England in round three.
Ireland to win by 10 points.
Ireland vs Italy lineups in full
12:07 , Arthur FerridgeIreland XV: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; S Prendergast, Casey; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Izuchukwu, Doris (c), Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, O'Toole, Furlong, Edogbo, Beirne, Timoney, Gibson-Park, Crowley
Italy XV: Pani; Lynagh, Marin, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari; N Cannone, Zambonin; Lamaro (c), Zuliani, L Cannone
Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, Odiase, A Garbisi, Odogwu
Italy team news: Pani replaces Brex in backline reshuffle
11:59 , Arthur FerridgeItaly’s win over Scotland is made all the more impressive when you consider the fact that they were missing a raft of key players including Ange Capuozzo, Tommaso Allan, Sebastian Negri, Ross Vintcent, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Martin Page-Relo, Stephen Varney, Jacopo Trulla and others.
Quesada makes only one enforced change from round one, with key centre Juan Ignacio Brex ruled out due to family reasons.
That has prompted a reshuffle of the backline, with Leonardo Marin moving from full-back to 12 as Menoncello shifts one spot to outside centre.
Lorenzo Pani takes the No15 shirt with Capuozzo not yet returning despite resuming training this week, with Lynagh and Monty Ioane remaining on the wings.
Ireland team news: Six changes from France defeat
11:52 , Arthur FerridgeFarrell has made six changes in a bid to spark a swift reaction from Ireland, with Ulster team-mates Robert Baloucoune and Cormac Izuchukwu both selected for their Six Nations debuts.
Baloucoune, 28, replaces Tommy O’Brien on the right wing as he makes his first Test appearance since 2022, while Izuchukwu comes in at blindside flanker in place of Cian Prendergast after shrugging off a toe injury.
James Lowe is recalled on the left wing as Jacob Stockdale also drops out completely, while Craig Casey gets the nod at scrum-half over Jamison Gibson-Park. Sam Prendergast keeps his place at No10, ahead of Jack Crowley.
James Ryan replaces Tadhg Beirne at lock and captain Caelan Doris moves to the openside as Jack Conan comes in at number eight and Josh van der Flier makes way.
Munster lock Edwin Edogbo is poised to earn his Ireland debut off the bench, while Tadhg Furlong is also among the replacements after returning to training this week.
Tom O’Toole is also named in reserve as props Milne and Finlay Bealham drop out of the matchday squad.
How to watch Ireland vs Italy
11:45 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, Ireland vs Italy is being shown live and free to air on ITV1. Coverage begins at 1pm GMT, ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash between Scotland and England at Murrayfield.
Live stream: You can also watch the game live online via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a registration.
Live blog: Follow the action as it happens on Saturday with Standard Sport’s live blog.
Good afternoon
11:37 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Ireland vs Italy in the Six Nations!
Today’s hosts are yet to get off the mark in this season’s competition. Can they find a first win here against an inspired Italy?
All will be revealed! Kick-off is pencilled in for 2.10pm. Stick with us!
