Ireland take on Italy to kick off round two of the 2026 Six Nations this weekend.
Andy Farrell’s side will be desperate to mount a swift and emphatic response to their opening night humbling by France, when they were brushed aside 36-14 by the defending champions in Paris.
Injury-hit Ireland trailed 22-0 after being blown away in the first half at a bouncing Stade de France, primarily by the brilliance of last year’s player of the tournament Louis Bielle-Biarrey, though rallied after the break with converted tries from Nicky Timoney and Michael Milne before Theo Attissogbe finished with a flourish.
The usually guarded Farrell was furious after the loss and said his team lacked both fight and intent during a period where he claimed that France were “playing a different game”.
The performance and final scoreline - which flattered Ireland - did little to assuage a doubting fanbase that have long since voiced concerns over Ireland’s direction as a team and fear that their days of challenging for major trophies may be at an end.
The good news for Ireland is that three of their remaining four games - against Italy, Wales and Scotland - are all in Dublin, though a trip to face soaring England at Twickenham is also looking like a difficult task as things stand.
Italy at home would usually be considered as a home banker for Ireland in the Six Nations, but the Azzurri showcased their latest significant progress with a shock rain-soaked 18-15 win over Scotland in round one.
Louis Lynagh and Tommaso Menoncello both scored early tries before the heavens opened at the Stadio Olimpico, with Gonzalo Quesada’s men holding on during a frantic finish to record their first Six Nations victory on opening weekend since 2013.
Ireland vs Italy date, kick-off time and venue
Ireland vs Italy takes place on Saturday February 14, 2026 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 2:10pm GMT, which is 3:10pm in Italy.
How to watch Ireland vs Italy
TV 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.
Ireland vs Italy team news
Farrell 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.
Italy’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 vs Italy lineups
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
Ireland vs Italy head to head (h2h) history and results
13 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
Ireland vs Italy prediction
Ireland 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 not withstanding).
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 match odds
Ireland to win: 1/14
Italy to win: 17/2
Draw: 40/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
