Saturday, February 11th, Italy v Ireland, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, 2:25pm kick-off (Live on ITV 1, 1:30pm)
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Italy v Ireland Six Nations preview
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Conor O’Shea has made four changes to his run-on side
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Ireland have made two changes to their starting line-up
IRELAND face Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday in Rome (2:25pm kick-off) – so here’s everything you need to know about the game.
Italy Team News
The Azzurri received a boost when their inspirational captain, Sergio Parisse, was ruled fit for this fixture. The powerhouse No.8 was battling with a neck injury earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, there are three changes in the forwards, with Leonardo Ghiraldini coming in at hooker where he replaces Ornel Gega while Andries van Schalkwyk takes over from George Biagi in the second row.
The final change in the pack sees Simone Favaro coming in for Abraham Steyn in the back row.
Favaro will start on the openside flank while Maxime Mbanda shifts to the other side of the scrum after wearing the number seven shirt in last weekend’s defeat to Wales.
In the only change in the back-line, Angelo Esposito is preferred to Giulio Bisegni on the right wing.
Italy: 15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Luke Mclean, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Maxime Mbanda, 5 Andries van Schalkwyk, 4 Marco Fuser, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lovotti
Replacements: 16 Ornel Gega, 17 Sami Panico, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 George Biagi, 20 Abraham Steyn, 21 Giorgio Bronzini, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Michele Campagnaro
Ireland Team News
Donnacha Ryan partners Devin Toner at lock while Cian Healy comes in at loosehead to join hooker Niall Scannell and tighthead Tadhg Furlong.
Captain Rory Best was ruled out late on after failing to recover from a stomach bug.
The back-row trio of Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and CJ Stander combine for just their fourth Test start with Paddy Jackson and Conor Murray named at half-back.
Here’s the Ireland team for @SixNationsRugby v @Federugby #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/Em9HTpNydA
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 9, 2017
Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose fill the midfield berths with Rob Kearney at full-back flanked by Simon Zebo and Keith Earls on the wings.
The replacements named for the game in Rome are Niall Scannell, Jack McGrath, John Ryan, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, Kieran Marmion, Ian Keatley and Craig Gilroy.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 John Ryan, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Craig Gilroy
Italy v Ireland Betting Odds (Paddy Power)
Head-to-head: Italy 11/1, Ireland 1/20, draw 20/1
Italy v Ireland: Six Nations so far
Round One
Wales began their RBS 6 Nations campaign in winning fashion as they beat Italy 33-7 at Stadio Olimpico. Click here to read
Scotland defeated Ireland 27-22 in the opening RBS 6 Nations match of the season at Murrayfield. Click here to read