World number one side Ireland take on Italy in Rome in a game which marks the halfway point of the 2023 Six Nations.
Italy put in a valiant performance against reigning champions France on matchday one, but missed out on a victory. England were too strong for them in the second game, and now they face another tough test in an Ireland side who are on fire.
Many Ireland players are contenders for the best in the world in their position, so this will be a massive challenge for Italy. The Irish played one of the greatest Six Nations matches against France in round two, winning 32-19.
What time is Italy v Ireland kick-off?
Italy v Ireland kicks off at 2.15pm on Saturday, February 25, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
What TV channel is Italy v Ireland on? What about live streaming?
Italy v Ireland will be broadcast on ITV1. You can also stream the game on ITVX.
What's the team news?
Italy have made three changes to the side that lost to England two weeks ago. Fly-half Paolo Garbisi returns to the fold, and is partnered by Welsh-born scrum-half Stephen Varney.
The other change in the backs sees Pierre Bruno feature on the wing. There is one change in the forwards, with Simone Ferrari replacing Marco Riccioni.
There are six changes to the Ireland team that beat France in a blockbuster match two weeks ago. Johnny Sexton is still recovering from a groin injury, so Ross Byrne will step in at fly-half.
Craig Casey will form the half-back pairing with Byrne. British and Irish Lion Bundee Aki steps into the midfield and replaces Stuart McCloskey. Ronan Kelleher comes in at hooker, and Iain Henderson replaces Tadgh Beirne, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
Jack Conan comes in, Caelan Doris shifts over to blindside flanker, with Peter O'Mahony dropping to the replacements.
Italy: 15. Ange Capuozzo, 14. Edoardo Padovani, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Pierre Bruno, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Stephen Varney; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone Ferrari, 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro (C), 8. Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: 16. Luca Bigi, 17. Federico Zani, 18. Marco Riccioni, 19. Edoardo Iachizzi, 20. Giovanni Pettinelli, 21. Alessandro Fusco, 22. Luca Morisi, 23. Tommaso Allan.
Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. James Lowe, 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Craig Casey, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Iain Henderson 5. James Ryan (C), 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Tom O’Toole, 19. Ryan Baird, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Stuart McCloskey.
Who is the Italy v Ireland referee?
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England) and Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
What have the coaches said?
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley: "Tommaso Menoncello has been moved to the centre because, with his physique, he is a player who can make an impact there and find space.
"At Treviso, he has often played with Brex. He has an affinity with him.
"He did some good things on the wing (against France and England) but we want to benefit from his qualities in another area of the pitch."
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell on the new half-back pairing: "They have earned the right to start and from what we have seen so far."
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