This Saturday, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host a gritty showdown as Ireland seeks to reclaim their Six Nations mojo against a surging Italian squad that nearly toppled them in their last encounter. With Italy riding high after a string of upset victories and Ireland reeling from consecutive defeats, the stage is set for what could be a fiercely contested battle.
Italy, under head coach Gonzalo Quesada, has been breaking away from their perennial underdog status, marked by a resilient victory against Scotland. Quesada praises his team's kicking prowess, which will be crucial against Ireland. "Ireland is the team that kicks the most in the world," he noted, adding, "We decided to put our faith in Lorenzo Pani... What we saw in training made us feel he deserved this opportunity."
"Going for it, getting in and out of our own way a bit, being the best version of yourself but ourselves as well. Make things happen by not overthinking things, just playing good, hard, quick rugby,"
said Ireland coach Andy Farrell, expressing his expectations for a robust response from his squad following a tough loss in Paris.The match will likely hinge on which team can maintain momentum, with both sides looking to their benches to provide a spark. Italy's bench was instrumental in their win over Scotland, showcasing a stellar defensive effort. Ireland, meanwhile, hopes for impactful contributions from the likes of Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong, who are set to bring their power game in the latter stages.
Key players to watch include Ireland's young gun Sam Prendergast, who remains under scrutiny after a challenging game in Paris, and Italy's Paolo Garbisi, known for his tactical acumen and ability to perform under pressure. The forwards battle will also be critical, with Italy's pack aiming to replicate the dominance they showed against Scotland.
Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Caelan Doris (c), 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tom Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Jeremy Loughman. 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.
Italy: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Michele Lamaro (c), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti. Replacements: