Ireland vs Italy Preview & Prediction | 2022 Six Nations Championship
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THE FACTS
When is Ireland vs Italy on and what time does it start? Ireland vs Italy will take place on Sunday 27th February, 2022 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Ireland vs Italy taking place? Ireland vs Italy will take place at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Where can I get tickets for Ireland vs Italy? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Ireland vs Italy
What channel is Ireland vs Italy on in the UK? Ireland vs Italy will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Ireland vs Italy in the UK? Ireland vs Italy can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE TEAM NEWS
IRELAND
- Ireland scored three tries to France’s two last time out in a 30-24 defeat in Paris, with discipline called into question in what looked to be the key clash of the 2022 Six Nations..
- Head coach Andy Farrell will be pleased to see the return of captain and talisman Johnny Sexton who should get some minutes off the bench here, whilst a debut cap is handed to Michael Lowry and a first start for hooker Dan Sheehan.
Ireland: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 Ryan Baird, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Johnny Sexton, 23 James Hume
ITALY
- Despite the size of the task of hosting England last time out, being shut-out 0-33 in Rome is still a considerable failing for Italy as their Six Nations status continues to attract questions.
- Head coach Kieran Crowley makes three changes for this foreboding trip to Dublin as Pierre Bruno comes in for Federico Mori, Leonardo Marin comes in for Marco Zanon and Giovanni Pettinelli starts in place of Braam Steyn.
Italy: 15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Montanna Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Giovanni Pettinelli, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Epalahame Faiva, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 David Sisi, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Braam Steyn, 22 Alessandro Fusco, 23 Marco Zanon
THE PREDICTION
This should be quite the hammering for travelling Italy away at the Aviva Stadium if their 0-33 defeat at home to England two weeks ago is anything to go by. Andy Farrell should get the opportunity to get plenty of minutes spread throughout the squad here in what is essentially nothing more than a procession as calls continue for a relegation place in the Six Nations format. The last two meetings have seen Ireland cover -33 at home and -38 in Rome last season, so splitting the difference at -36 seems a reasonable option here.
