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Ireland are victorious in Dublin, but it was far from convincing - Seb Daly/Getty Images
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Midway through the first half of this stuttering Ireland win, which raises further uncomfortable questions about the direction of travel of Andy Farrell’s team, the stadium announcer saw fit to play Dean Martin’s That’s Amore over the PA system. The intention was presumably to inject a bit of pep into the Aviva crowd on Valentine’s Day. But it was not the moment.
Ireland were then locked in a desperate struggle to see off a resurgent Italian team, and frankly, they were coming off second best.
The hosts eventually came from behind to win 20-13, but victory did little to dispel the growing narrative that they are a team in decline.
Trailing 10-5 at the break after Jamie Osborne’s try was cancelled out by one from Giacomo Nicotera, Ireland’s second-half replacements made the difference. A quartet of Lions – Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Ronan Kelleher and Jamison Gibson-Park – came off the bench to inject some of the “intent” Farrell had demanded after Ireland’s first-round shellacking in Paris.
Second-half tries from Jack Conan and Robert Baloucoune, plus a penalty from Jack Crowley, duly sent Ireland 20-10 clear.
But Italy were never out of it. The Azzurri had already had a Louis Lynagh try ruled out in the second half for a forward pass in the build-up. And after Paolo Garbisi reduced the arrears with a penalty to make it 20-13, Italy spent the final minutes of the match camped in Ireland’s 22 pushing for a draw they would have thoroughly deserved.
The questions for Farrell are mounting. The Englishman has been on the defensive since Paris, fending off suggestions that Ireland are an ageing team, in decline. And he was at it again after this, praising his team’s “character and resilience” against a “very good Italian side”. He was right about that. Italy were excellent and will feel very hard done by here.
But the evidence that Ireland are drifting is growing. Their scrum was dominated by Italy’s, pinged twice in the first half by history-maker Hollie Davidson, who let the game flow on her first outing in the men’s Six Nations. They butchered two early entries into Italy’s 22, once when Dan Sheehan jumped into a tackle after tapping a penalty on the five-metre line.
Perhaps most importantly – certainly as far as a conversation which is generating heated debate online is concerned – Sam Prendergast once again struggled badly at fly-half. The young Leinster star missed both of his conversion attempts with horrible kicks, one left, one right, and never got his back line going, throwing a couple of Hollywood passes which might well have been intercepted.
Undoubtedly a talented player, it feels as if Prendergast has been promoted too soon and is now suffering for it. He was replaced by Crowley after 56 minutes to huge roars from the Aviva crowd. It was unclear whether the roars were for Prendergast going off or Crowley coming on, but it felt awfully as if it might have been the former.
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Sam Prendergast does not look equipped for the Test-match stage - Peter Morrison/AP
Either way, Crowley made a big difference, along with Gibson-Park inside him, immediately injecting some zip and urgency into Ireland’s phase play with crisp, quick passing. For 20 minutes Ireland were in the ascendancy. Then they lost control again. Italy, whose scrum were dominant for most of the match, won two penalties there.
Italy very nearly scored with three minutes remaining when Garbisi’s chip just evaded Tommaso Menoncello with the try-line begging. Then James Lowe intercepted with the clock in the red and ran all the way to Italy’s 22, whereupon Ireland won a penalty, only for Crowley to kick the ball dead when there was the chance of a bonus try. Echoes of Billy Burns with the final kick of the game in Cardiff 2021. It summed up Ireland’s day.
What defence from Ireland!
What an effort from Italy!
The Six Nations delivers AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/zOz0elk3ev
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 14, 2026
“I thought Jack played outstandingly well when he came on, so I’m actually gutted for him because you know he wouldn’t normally do that,” Farrell said. “I mean, there’s a few things to check there as far as offside and jumping up and down in his eyeline for the kick, but still it was a bit of a shank. That wouldn’t be the overriding thought of what I take from Jack’s game. I thought he was outstanding when he came on.”
Ireland did have a few other positives. Stuart McCloskey was excellent, offloading for both tries, the second a sort of NBA-style pass over the top to Baloucoune. He deserved his player-of-the-match award.
Baloucoune! WHAT A FEND! WHAT A STEP!
The Aviva erupts - Ireland finally lead.
Some nice quarterbacking from McCloskey too pic.twitter.com/eZVVjiFdiv
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 14, 2026
Lowe also impressed on his return, carrying well and providing a calm head in hectic moments. Perhaps Farrell’s decision to drop the Leinster wing in Paris had the desired effect. Equally, you could ask why Farrell dropped him for Jacob Stockdale in the first place, only to eject Stockdale from the squad entirely when Italy came to visit.
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Farrell preferred to accentuate the positives, noting the blooding of Edwin Edogbo and the return of Baloucoune. “The experience that some of these lads are getting is absolutely huge,” he said. “The lads that have been there and done that, they’ve been through this type of pressure and come out the other side and they’ve grown because of it. These lads that managed to do that today, to stand up tall, and that will certainly stand them in good stead. I’m delighted with the win against a very good Italian side.”
There are plenty of questions piling up for Farrell. And with England away at Twickenham next weekend, they are only going to get louder.
Match details
Scoring sequence: 5-0 Osborne try, 5-3 Garbisi pen, 5-8 Nicotera try, 5-10 Garbisi con, 10-10 Conan try, 15-10 Balacoune try, 17-10 Crowley con, 20-10 Crowley pen, 20-13 Garbisi pen.
Ireland: J Osborne; R Baloucoune, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Lowe; S Prendergast (J Crowley 56), C Casey (J Gibson-Park 52); J Loughman (T O’Toole 67), D Sheehan (R Kelleher 52), T Clarkson (T Furlong 41), J McCarthy (T Beirne 52), J Ryan (E Edogbo 70), C Izuchukwu (N Timoney 59), C Doris, J Conan.
Sin-bin: Casey.
Italy: L Pani; L Lynagh, L Marin (P Odogwu 67), T Menoncello, M Ioane; P Garbisi, A Fusco (A Garbisi 63); D Fischetti (M Spagnolo 59), G Nicotera (T Di Bartolomeo 59), S Ferrari (M Hasa 59), N Cannone (R Favretto 67), A Zambonin (F Ruzza 61), M Lamaro, M Zuliani, L Cannone (D Odiase 67).
Sin-bin: Lynagh.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU).
04:21pm
Thanks for following
Full report, with quotes to come. No immediate reaction on TV so keep your eyes peeled for some raw reaction. Some confusion and relief for Farrell, some dejection for Quesada I’d expect. They’ll need to dust themselves off England (a) and France (a) respectively next weekend. No time to dwell!
For now, head over to our live coverage of the Calcutta Cup here.
04:17pm
The match winning moment
Baloucoune! WHAT A FEND! WHAT A STEP!
The Aviva erupts - Ireland finally lead.
Some nice quarterbacking from McCloskey too pic.twitter.com/eZVVjiFdiv
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 14, 2026
04:11pm
Full-time, Ireland win 20-13
Our man on the ground Tom Cary said the Irish bench would decide the result and so they did. Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley were the real difference makers. James Lowe’s intercept of Monty Ioane sealed the deal and capped off a very good performance in his return to the team.
04:08pm
Full-time, Ireland win 20-13
Ireland go to the corner, or so they, and everyone else thought...
Crowley had, wisely in my opinion, double tapped it and that’s the game. Great test match, gut-wrenching for Italy.
04:06pm
83 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Lowe intercepts! Ireland go all the way to the Italian 22 and Ireland are bonus point hunting now.
04:05pm
82 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Ringrose nails Garbisi but Italy retain the ball
04:03pm
81 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Awful kick from Garbisi but Baloucoune can’t keep it in, lineout from 6m...
04:03pm
81 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Italy win the penalty, Edogbo at fault. To the corner...
04:02pm
80 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Last attack for Italy, they’re in the middle of the Irish half.
04:01pm
79 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Zuliani crashes up bu McCloskey jackals. The ball is hacked through and Ireland have the ball on their own line. Gibson-Park boxes clear.
04:00pm
78 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
The scrum holds and Osborne whacks it clear. It’s tense.
04:00pm
77 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Ireland slow the game down, wisely, as Ringrose gets his knee taped up.
And so close for the Azzurri! Garbisi chips for his centres but the bounce is agonisingly unfortunate for Menoncello. Ireland have the put in under their own crossbar.
03:57pm
76 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Italy attacking in the midfield and Ireland number up well before Doris goes off his feet to concede the penalty.
Now or never if Italy want to win this match. They go to the corner.
03:56pm
75 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Garbisi forced to send a bomb on top of Baloucoune who deals with it well and Gibson-Park hoofs it clear.
03:55pm
74 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Ireland have slowed ball down very well but Italy still have it near the 22.
03:54pm
73 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Lynagh causes some havoc from a contestable and Odogwu gathers but is held back.
Italy attacking the Irish 22.
03:52pm
72 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
The lineout is being hotly contested but Italy cling onto this one and clear long. Osborne and Lowe combine to break through the chase but Crowley throws forward to thwart a promising attack.
Edwin Edogbo into Ireland’s second row for his debut. He’ll have a scrum to start with, Furlong will be glad he’s so enormous I’m sure.
03:50pm
69 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Italy knock on and Ireland immediately attack the space down the opposite flank. It’s covered well, but Gibson-Park finds space in behind to pin Italy deep into their own 22m.
03:49pm
68 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 13
Italy clear from the restart and Kelleher over throws so Italy have midfield possession.
03:47pm
Penalty Italy: Ireland 20 Italy 13
More dominance by the Italian scrum! New front row, same result! Furlong completely lifted into the air by Mirco Spagnolo - you could count on your hands how many times that’s happened over the years...
Garbisi knocks over the three as Paolo Odogwu comes on.
03:45pm
64 mins: Ireland 20 Italy 10
Italy enforce the hold up from the restart and earn a feed on the Irish 22.
03:43pm
Penalty Ireland: Ireland 20 Italy 10
Ireland working the phases, Gibson-Park distributing at lightning speed. They win the advantage but Gibson-Park’s crossfield is poor. Crowley will go for posts from a simple angle and Ireland lead by 10 all of a sudden.
03:42pm
62 mins: Ireland 17 Italy 10
Italy’s new hooker Tommaso Di Bartolomeo overthrows and Ireland are all over Italy now, earning an attacking lineout...
03:41pm
Sick of Prendergast or fans of Crowley?
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Excellent finish from Balacoune. And Crowley converts to huge cheers. Not sure if it came through on TV but the roar when Prendergast was taken off and Crowley came on was perhaps the biggest of the day so far - not sure whether that means they were heartily sick of Prendergast or there are just loads of Munster fans in here...
03:40pm
60 mins: Ireland 17 Italy 10
A lovely offload by McCloskey to set that try up. Meanwhile, Italy have substituted their whole front row. Ireland’s bench asserting dominance.
03:39pm
Try Ireland! Baloucoune marks return with try
Jack Crowley has injected serious pace into Ireland’s attack and they work overlaps on each side, poor final passes saving Italy.
The hosts smell blood though and with penalty advantage in hand Baloucoune bursts through off his wing, a wonderful step to finish.
Crowley converts, the game has changed.
03:37pm
57 mins: Ireland 10 Italy 10
Flanker Manuel Zuliani picks Jeremy Loughman’s pocket and Italy attack. A knock on is kicked away by McCloskey so Italy come back again, but they’re hounded into touch.
The Italians are making a lot of noise. More noise by the home crowd for Jack Crowley’s introduction in place of Sam Prendergast.
03:34pm
54 mins: Ireland 10 Italy 10
Lynagh lets Prendergast’s spiral bomb find grass and puzzlingly an Italian player tries to tap back into the crowd. Ringrose claims it gratefully and Ireland attack with some vigour.
Crucial turnover from Lamaro to relieve the pressure.
03:32pm
53 mins: Ireland 10 Italy 10
British and Irish Lions Tadhg Beirne, Ronan Kelleher and Jamison Gibson-Park all on now. A quiet game for Dan Sheehan who scored a hattrick in Rome last year.
Ireland win a freekick from the scrum.
03:31pm
Try disallowed
The 22 line an ominous presence for Italy. Menoncello started the pass behind it and Lynagh claims it in front.
TMO Ian Tempest says it leaves the hands forward and the try will be disallowed. Wonderful attacking rugby otherwise though.
03:29pm
Try Italy! Lynagh finishes Menoncello break
Italy work through the phases but Doris turns the ball over in his own 22 before Tadhg Furlong is smashed. Italy play quickly from the lineout, it’s tiring work for Ireland at the moment and Menoncello makes a huge break through the middle.
He floats a lovely pass, that will be checked, to Lynagh out wide and his finish is simple. TMO to come.
03:26pm
49 mins: Ireland 10 Italy 10
Italy finding plenty of gainline from this lineout, scrum half Alessandro Fusco with the half break to earn front foot ball. They work space down the left and a Marin offload puts Pani through but Jamie Osborne shows good strength to get him into touch.
Ireland win the shortened lineout and clear. They’re under pressure again.
03:25pm
48 mins: Ireland 10 Italy 10
Lineout stolen by Cormac Izuchukwu and Ireland send Italy back to the 10m.
03:24pm
46 mins: Ireland 10 Italy 10
Penalty advantage Italy, that’s their third from the scrum! Loughman man handled by Simone Ferrari.
The attack is sloppy so Garbisi goes into the corner
03:23pm
45: Ireland 10 Italy 10
Prendergast misses narrowly so the score is level. Italy will have the put in to the scrum in the midfield from the half-way. Furlong on.
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03:21pm
Try Ireland! Jack Conan scores much-needed try
Ireland have earned a lineout deep into the Italian 22 and Jeremy Loughman is given the ball with the trick play to the front. It’s a pick and go game from there and Jack Conan drives over.
03:19pmAnalysis
Big half needed for Ireland
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Farrell’s decision to bench Jamison Gibson-Park today strikes me as odd. Like his decision to bench James Lowe in Paris in favour of Jacob Stockdale. Making a point to his big-hitters that no one is indispensable? Rotating ahead of a big England game? Maybe. But Ireland can’t afford to lose this. Big half coming up.
03:18pm
Second half start: Ireland 5 Italy 10
Tadhg Furlong on for Thomas Clarkson.
Italy looking to capitalise on their first ever Six Nations half-time lead here in Dublin.
03:10pmAnalysis
Major upset on cards but Ireland bench stacked
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Major upset on the cards here. Italy have been good value for their lead. Andy Farrell asked for “intent” from his team after the Paris shellacking. But they’ve really struggled. Farrell’s men squandered their early platform, coming away with just five points from multiple entries into Italy’s 22m.
And since then, Italy have really grown in confidence. The visitors’ scrum has been on top - Hollie Davidson had already warned Ireland before she pinged them twice - and their backs have started finding gaps too. Pani’s chip and collect was gorgeous and might have led to a try even before Nicotera went over.
Ireland’s bench is stacked - four Lions on it - and Farrell is going to have to hope they wrest back control of this game.
03:09pm
Italy’s scrum dominance
They followed this up with an even bigger one, and celebration to boot, on the Irish feed. Quesada will be irritated that they made a hash of the penalty kick, and even more irritated that the 5m lineout was inconsequential.
That said, penny for Andy Farrell’s thoughts. His word of the week was “intent”, which has been lacking thus far. No excuses with fresh faces keen to make an impression and nine days of rest since the Thursday night opener.
03:04pm
Half-time: Ireland 5 Italy 10
The maul is repelled by Italy keep the ball. Inside centre Leonardo Marin is stripped in the tackle by his opposite man McCloskey and that’ll be half-time. Another opportunity squandered by the visitors who should be leading by more now. Their scrum has been a complete revelation this year.
More handbags to end the half too, this is Six Nations rugby at its fractious best.
03:02pm
41 mins: Ireland 5 Italy 10
Or not. They were returning a long goal line drop out but knock on in the midfield once again. The visitors have actually been quite sloppy ball in hand. Their defence was largely been dominant, though. The double tackles that punctuated their victory over Scotland have been out again.
Hang on, a huge drive on Ireland’s feed! Ringrose making the rookie error of feeding down the middle but the Italian drive is brutal!
Italy indicate they want a speculative shot at goal but they’d gone for the wrong mark so are forced to the corner. Garbisi pins it within 5, huge moment coming up!
02:58pm
39 mins: Ireland 5 Italy 10
Italy knock on in possession and Prendergast almost sends Joe McCarthy into a gap with a nice delay on the pass.
Ringrose is at scrum half so Ireland need their 10 to kick well but Prendergast sends another bomb far too long. His handling is so smooth but other parts of his game are lacking.
Last attack of the half will be Italy’s.
02:56pm
37 mins: Ireland 5 Italy 10
Scrum from the restart, and Italy win the penalty through Ferrari. Their celebration matches that of the press box’s, presumably? Scuffle ensues but Italy retain possession and go to touch.
Confirmation from the bunker that Casey’s yellow will remain just that. Deemed a high degree of danger but he lost the contact so also deemed passive. He’s now sporting a broken nose for his troubles.
02:54pmAnalysis
Italy’s try has been coming
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You have to say, it has been coming. Italy have been the better team for the last quarter of an hour, their backs really starting to grow in confidence. Ireland’s only points of the game came when Italy were down to 14 men.
02:53pmTries
Try Italy! Giacomo Nicotera from the maul!
Ireland 5 Italy 10! Immediately from the maul after Casey’s yellow Italy send the backs into the maul and Nicotera rolls over.
Garbisi adds the extras from a tougher angle than Prendergast’s earlier miss. Italy deserving of their lead.
02:51pm
32 mins: Ireland 5 Italy 3
A robust carry from Menoncello gets Italy into the Irish 22 but the ball is spilled forward.
A cut to Craig Casey’s face tells the teacher there must be a high tackle somewhere and we go back to the 22m where it appears 5ft 5in Casey has hit Italian no. 8 Cannone in the head.
It’s a passive tackle and Hollie Davidson is prompt in sending him to the bunker for a review, which will definitely keep it as a yellow.
02:47pm
31 mins: Ireland 5 Italy 3
A big collision between Niccolo Cannone and Stuart McCloskey is followed by an even bigger one between Ringrose and Pani in the air, which leaves the latter winded. Here’s hoping Simone Ferrari is appetised by that, I’d like to see another of those shots he provided in the first 10 minutes. They’ll make the highlight reels.
Italy meanwhile have possession just outside the Irish 22.
02:45pm
29 mins: Ireland 5 Italy 3
Ireland win another scrappy scrum and Prendergast opts for a much nicer kick, grubbering through down the right. Italy work through some phases before setting up the box kick. Paolo Garbisi calls it out wide, though, and there’s plenty space to attack down the left.
Ireland drift well to cover it, though, and Ireland kick into the Italian half.
02:42pm
26 mins: Ireland 5 Italy 3
Ringrose reclaims a Casey box kick in the midfield but Italy do well to slow ruck ball down.
Prendergast is forced to kick but his garryowen is aimless, providing Lorenzo Pani with all the time to pick his spot in the Irish line. The fullback chips and chases, reclaiming it before his offload to Lamaro is dropped. The skipper was in the clear there, try line begging but the offload was poor, asking a lot of his hip mobility.
Ireland, and Prendergast in particular, reprieved.
02:39pm
23 mins: Ireland 5 Italy 3
Lynagh re-introduced as we head for a scrum ad-break.
Thomas Clarkson concedes a free-kick and Italy clear with ease.
02:38pm
Prendergast miss sells Irish efforts short
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Stadium PA played ‘That’s Amore’ during the break in play just before that try, prompting laughter and cuddles in the stands. Not sure Andy Farrell was feeling much Valentine’s Day love for his players up to that point. Two glaring turnovers on entries into Italy’s 22m.
Will that settle the nerves? Oh no, Prendergast has missed a sitter.
02:36pm
Penalty Italy: Ireland 5 Italy 3
Really tidy rugby from Ireland, carriers constantly over the gain line and Osborne running a perfect line in between his centres to score.
Coach killer on the restart. Italy go long, Ireland clear into touch but Casey fails to get distance. Andrea Zambonin is impeded in the air and Garbisi knocks over the pen from the 15m line. Ireland worked a lot harder for their points.
02:34pmTries
Try Ireland! Jamie Osborne finishes off vintage phase play
Another scrappy start to the attack from the lineout but the Irish midfield recover it again. Lowe makes the most of Lynagh’s absence to get his team on the front foot and we’ve settled into some Irish phases, the sort that went missing last week.
McCloskey runs a hardline and spins through contact to offload to Jamie Osborne who coasts in.
Conversion missed.
02:31pm
15 mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Scrum on the right flank means plenty space down the un-manned left for Ireland. Casey’s pass is poor but the Irish midfield recovers and their two wingers Baloucoune and Lowe combine magnificently to burst within 5 of the Italian line. The two of them both looking very dangerous ball in hand.
Italy’s scramble defence is good, however, and Lamaro counter rucks for the turnover. They clear and Ireland will attack from 30m out.
02:27pm
13 mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Ireland’s lineout is in between the 22 and 10m but a pull out back goes to ground and Italy pounce.
The ball is worked wide quickly but Menoncello asks too much of Monty Ioane down the left wing and Ireland have the scrum feed.
02:26pm
Yellow card Louis Lynagh
Ireland finding width but Italy’s wingers are up well.
In the latest instance of this Louis Lynagh comes up for the intercept but Prendergast’s pass is just out of reach. Only one arm in his catch attempt, James Lowe was in plenty space, so Lynagh goes to the bin.
02:24pm
‘Wild celebrations’ to Ferrari hit
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Wild celebrations from some Italian media in the press box when that penalty went against Sheehan. They were on their feet screaming and clapping. Different journalistic culture I guess!
02:22pm
9 mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Wow! Dan Sheehan goes for the tap play from 5m and as he did in the Lions series - to great success - he tries to jump over the tackle. Simone Ferrari has done his homework though and absolutely smashes him, that’s his second assassination of the match! Sheehan penalised for jumping into the tackle and Italy clear.
02:20pm
7 mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Off the top of the lineout, mid-way through the 22m. Lamaro is offside and Ireland go wide to Lowe with free ball, and the winger goes within 5m. Prendergast tries a deft grubber but it’s blocked and Ireland go back to the penalty - seemed to be a bit of a waste.
02:18pm
6 mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Scrum penalty Ireland, Italian loosehead Danilo Fischetti hitting the deck before the feed. Ireland have their first attacking platform.
02:17pm
5 mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Big missed opportunity for Italy! Alessandro Fusco reads a wide pass from his opposite man Craig Casey perfectly, but the balls slips straight through his hands. He’d have been clear if he held onto it.
Scrum instead.
02:16pm
4 mins: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Simone Ferrari, who was worthy of his man of the match award last week, flattens Garry Ringrose, before James Lowe reclaims a box kick.
A productive carry from Robert Baloucoune before Italy turn possession over but they pass into touch.
02:14pm
Kick off: Ireland 0 Italy 0
Italy kick off and Ireland roll through a few phases before kicking into the Italian half.
02:11pm
Anthems done
Jack Conan sporting a fresh cut on his eye sustained in the warm-up.
Kick off to come
02:11pm
Some stats
To illustrate how tough today’s task is for Italy, despite their good form, Ireland have won their last seven home games vs Italy by a minimum margin of 32 points.
Italy have won three Six Nations games in a row for the first time ever, and have won as many since the 2023 World Cup as Scotland, but they’ll have to do it without Ignacio Brex; the silky centre had started 26 consecutive games for the Italians.
02:08pm
Gonzalo Quesada’s pre-match thoughts
02:06pm
Teams are out
Three anthems and a first ever Six Nations appearance as President of Ireland for Catherine Connolly, so the teams are out nearly 15 minute before kick off. No keepy ups from Ms Connolly as of yet.
Its a dry, still day in the Aviva Stadium, I’m sure Italy are delighted after a physically demanding match in a quagmire last week. It’s something Gonzalo Quesada alluded to in his pre-match interview, full quotes to come...
02:03pm
Andy Farrell’s pre-match thoughts:
It’s been a positive [week], the best thing about a defeat like that is having another opportunity nine days on to turn it into good learnings. Playing with intent is obviously a priority.
The mood’s been good, honest, very open. With those conversations early in the week, it’s been about holding them back a little bit. We know it’ll be difficult with an Italian side in good form.
We expect more of the same, well-organised, well-drilled, with a flowing attack. Our defence needs to be taking steps forward to dominate. The set piece is important because they’ve been strong there as well.
01:59pm
‘If Ireland lose today, we really do have a big problem on our hands’
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Interesting vibe in the Aviva press room pre-match. There’s an element of “Okay, keep calm, it was a Thursday night in Paris, in the rain, and everything France did came off... even South Africa would have struggled to contain them in that mood”.
But there’s also definitely an element of “If Ireland labour to victory today, or God forbid lose, we really do have a big problem on our hands”. Ireland’s loss in Rome in 2013 was Declan Kidney’s last match in charge. A first ever defeat by Italy in Dublin today would definitely bring a few knives out for Andy Farrell. Some feel he shouldn’t have taken the Lions gig last year - that it cost Ireland.
01:57pm
History in the middle, but don’t make a big deal about it.
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Read the full article here: Hollie Davidson’s first Six Nations game should be no surprise – she is one of world’s best
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Davidson is part of a group of female referees normalising the presence of women in the sport - Brendan Moran/Getty Images
01:47pm
Pressure on fresh faces for Ireland:
Lots of unfamiliar faces in that Irish side. Hugo Keenan, Ryan Baird, Mack Hansen all injured, Bundee Aki suspended. Jamison Gibson-Park and Tadhg Beirne out of form and on the bench, Tadhg Furlong returning from injury on the bench. Josh van der Flier dropped. Those are all players who have come to define Ireland’s part in a Six Nations duopoly over the last four years, all players who spring to mind when you think of their dominance over New Zealand as of late. No pressure in replacing them, then!
James Lowe is another of those names, but he’s back in the starting XV having been dropped last week for the 36-14 drubbing by France. Here are his pre-match thoughts:
On Andy Farrell’s criticism of his senior players:
On wing partner Robert Baloucoune, on his fifth cap:
01:34pm
Italian line-up
01:30pm
Irish line-up
01:12pm
Does a crisis loom for Andy Farrell?
It’s been a week of Six Nations discourse characterised by hyperbole, the kind usually saved for the fallow week that previously followed round two. Wales’s have sunk ever deeper into their crisis, with the WRU forced to give thousands of tickets away to stewards for free. In Scotland, Gregor Townsend is fighting for his job after a comprehensive defeat to Italy and poorly handled rumours around his future with Newcastle Red Bulls.
Defeat for Ireland against Italy today would also represent a crisis of existential proportions for Andy Farrell.
With an XV that reaches into the lesser spotted Irish depth charts, is their whole development system about to be exposed in a way not seen before? Since Ireland’s ascent to the upper echelons of the world game there has been an unsteadiness around their player development beyond Leinster and residency loopholes, but it has never directly impacted a Six Nations campaign. Today, they face an Italy side in the form of their lives (a win, combined with a Scottish loss today would elevate them to an all-time high of seventh in the world rankings) with a number of relatively inexperienced players needing to step up to allay fears that a golden Irish generation has run out of steam just a year before a World Cup.
Defeat will prompt questions over the failure to bring players through from a number of successful u20s Six Nations campaigns this decade, and about the unsuccessful campaigns the last couple of years. It will bring scrutiny to Ireland’s fixture booking, with their summer tests against Portugal (106-7 win) and Georgia (34-5 win) much less productive than England and France’s summer tours. In the same vein, Andy Farrell might be asked why he took six of his backroom staff on the Lions tour, causing a potential disconnect between an under-developed second string side and his usual first team.
Win, and those questions remain at a simmer rather than a boiling point. The lack of quality in Ireland’s ‘A’ and u20s setups at current does need addressing, but now is not the time for Farrell. While Italy are the strongest they’ve ever been in their hunt for a first ever Six Nations win in Dublin, only they, and Wales now, are capable of forcing such pressure on a team they’ve defeated. Whether that’s fair or not is immaterial to Gonzalo Quesada, they will be aware that this is their best ever chance to win in Dublin, and register consecutive Six Nations wins for the second time since 2007.
Will those questions be asked by full-time today? Stay tuned for build-up and live coverage!
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