Two places and 10 points separate Italy and Ireland, with both sides looking for points for different reasons.
The Irish still have an outside chance of winning the Six Nations, despite being defeated 27-42 by France last week. Meanwhile, Italy will be hoping to hold off bottom-side Wales as they look to avoid winning the wooden spoon.
ITALY VS IRELAND PREVIEW
Italy go into this game off the back of a 47-24 defeat to England last week. This was their third Six Nations defeat of the campaign, with their last home match being a 24-73 mauling at the hands of France.
The Irish were also stunned by the French. Going into last week’s game, Ireland were at the top of the Six Nations table but an impressive performance by France turned the Six Nations on its head. This was a huge blow for the defending champions, who will be looking to bounce back in Rome.
Italy have made seven changes from the side that lost to England last time out.
Ange Capuozzo shifts to the wing as Tommaso Allan is recalled in the full-back position.
Stephen Varney is out and Martin Page-Relo is in at scrum-half.
Captain Michele Lamaro is dropped to the bench, with Juan Ignacio Brex leading the side. Manuel Zuliani replaces Lamaro in the scrum following an impressive performance against England.
Ireland have made six changes for the match, with Jack Crowley being recalled at fly-half. Sam Prendergast will drop to the bench.
James Lowe and Mack Hansen will both return at wing, with Garry Ringrose starting at outside centre following his suspension against France.
Joe McCarthy is out and James Ryan is in at second row. Jack Conan starts as blind-side flanker.
ITALY VS IRELAND PREDICTIONS
Italy Win
Italy beat Wales 22-15 in Rome earlier in the Six Nations and will be determined to stay off the bottom of the table. With Ireland’s chances of winning the Six Nations slim and with the home crowd behind them, they could pull off an upset. Before their last two defeats, they had only lost once in five Six Nations games.
Ireland Win
Ireland beat Italy 36-0 at home in last year’s Six Nations, and are clearly one of the strongest sides in the competition this time around. Italy lost heavily to both France and England, with Ireland being on a similar level. They also need a bonus point win so expect the Irish to start quickly.
ITALY VS IRELAND – BETTING TIPS
Ireland Win
Ireland will be determined to bounce back against Italy, particularly as they are still in with a chance of winning the Six Nations crown. Their defeat against France was their first of the campaign, and they clearly have higher quality in their ranks than the Italians.
Ireland to Win by 26-30 Points
Ireland need a bonus point victory to have any chance of claiming the Six Nations title and with 120 points conceded in their last two games, Italy are ripe for the picking. Both France and England ran rampant against the Italians and Ireland are of comparable quality.
Dan Sheehan to Score a Try
Dan Sheehan scored his second try of this year’s Six Nations against France, taking his tally to 10 in total. He is the first forward to reach double figures in Six Nations history. If Ireland go rampant against Italy, expect him to be in the scoring.
ITALY VS IRELAND – HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
Ireland have won 24 of their 25 Six Nations matches against Italy, their only defeat coming in 2013.
Ireland have won seven of their last eight away games in the Six Nations.
On the last two occasions Ireland had an away fixture in the final round of the Six Nations, they have lost.
Italy have conceded 120 points in their last two games, 73 against France and 47 against England.
Italy’s 49-point loss against France was their second-heaviest margin of defeat at home in the Six Nations.
