Italy vs Ireland Preview & Prediction | 2025 Six Nations Championship | Round 6

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

There will be no Grand Slam for Ireland this year, and perhaps not even the Six Nations title, but they can fulfil their end of the bargain and put pressure on France and England with victory against Italy in Rome.

Start date/time: Saturday 15th March, 2025: UK – 2:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am

How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / US – NBC

How to watch online: UK – ITVX / US – Peacock

Italy Form: Wooden Spoon battle

Italy can finish no higher than the fifth position they currently occupy, but they could be overtaken by Wales following the final day’s results so they will no doubt be eager to avoid the dreaded Wooden Spoon.

The Azzurri, who lost 47-24 to England last weekend, are aiming to win multiple matches in back-to-back Six Nations Championships for the first time in their history.

Last Five: LLWLL

Ireland Form: Title prospects look slim

Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes were dashed by defeat to France last weekend and it also put a major dent in their goal of winning the Six Nations Championship for the third year in succession.

Results elsewhere will need to go their way but they must focus on the job at hand here, with a bonus point victory imperative to at least give themselves a chance.

Last Five: WWWWL

Italy Team News: Seven changes from England defeat

Squad: 15-Allan, 14-Capuozzo, 13-Brex (capt), 12-Menoncello, 11-Ioane, 10-P Garbisi, 9-Page-Relo; 1-Fischetti, 2-Lucchesi, 3-Ferrari, 4-Lamb, 5-Ruzza, 6-Negri, 7-Zuliani, 8-L Cannone

Replacements: 16-Nicotera, 17-Spagnolo, 18-Zilocchi, 19-N Cannone, 20-Lamaro, 21-Vintcent, 22-Varney, 23-Marin

Ireland Team News: Ringrose returns from suspension

Squad: 15-Keenan, 14-Hansen, 13-Ringrose, 12-Henshaw, 11-Lowe, 10-Crowley, J 9-Gibson-Park; 1-Porter, 2-Sheehan, 3-Bealham, 4-Ryan, 5-Beirne, 6-Conan, 7-Van der Flier, 8-Doris (capt)

Replacements: 16-G McCarthy, 17-Boyle, 18-Furlong, 19-J McCarthy, 20-O'Mahony, 21-Murray, 22-S Prendergast, 23-Aki

Italy vs Ireland Prediction

The odds are firmly against Ireland defending their title but that is unlikely to stop them from marching to victory here. Italy have conceded 166 points in this year’s tournament, comfortably the most among the six teams, and their defence is unlikely to be able stand up to an Ireland front row determined to exercise the demons of last week’s defeat to France in Dublin.

Despite what is expected to be a vociferous home support in Rome, expect Ireland to run away with this, covering a significant handicap in the process. Whether it will be enough for the title though, only time will tell.

Italy vs Ireland Tip: Ireland to win with -19.5 handicap