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Round two of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship is upon us, and once again action commences with the team in green. This time Andy Farrell’s Ireland are back on home soil, seeking to make ammends from a horror start in Paris, as high-flying Italy come to town.
The Azzurri have won 4/11 Six Nations games under head coach Gonzalo Quesada, but have never won a competitive game in Ireland. Can they buck the trend this week?
Last Time:
For the first time since the Italian’s burst onto the scene in 2000, they lead Ireland in the table through the first round. They drowned Scotland 18-15 in the Stadio Olimpico, courtesy of early tries from Louis Lynagh and Tommas Menoncello.
As for Ireland, they fell to their heaviest loss in Paris since 2010, as France took the spoils 36-14 on a Thursday night. Purple patch scores from Nick Timoney and Michael Milne were mere consolations as Ireland fell to another loss to a top four nation.
This fixture has been dominated by Ireland however. Italy have just one win from 26 against Ireland in the Six Nations, that being at home in 2013. They have not finished within a score in Dublin since 2008.
Last year saw Ireland pip it 17-22 in Rome, but in 2024 it was a comprehensive 36-0 win for the then champs.
After a chastening defeat last time out, Andy Farrell has reshuffled his squad with six changes to the starting side this week. In come James Ryan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, James Lowe and Robert Baloucoune; while Tom O’Toole and Tadhg Furlong are fresh additions on the bench.
The big news is the impending debut of Edwin Edogbo. The Munster second-row plays at about 125-130 kg, and despite being only 23, feels long overdue of a debut. The same can be said of the older, but also unquestionale athletes Izuchukwu and Baloucoune, who each make their first championship appearance.
Players to Watch:
Edwin Edogbo & Cormac Izuchukwu
Ireland by 12, with a try bonus point
IRELAND: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Tom Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Cormac Izuchukwu, Caelan Doris (capt), Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Tadhg Furlong, Edwin Edogbo*, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley.
ITALY: Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari; Niccolo Cannone, Andrea Zambonin; Michele Lamaro, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, David Odiase, Alessandro Garbisi, Paolo Odogwu.
