The head coach of the Ireland rugby team, Andy Farrell, is adopting a cautious approach towards the rumors of achieving a back-to-back Grand Slam victory. His primary focus remains on building upon the positive momentum garnered from their recent triumph over France in the Guinness Six Nations tournament. With a resounding 38-17 bonus-point victory against the pre-tournament favorites, France, in Marseille, the reigning champions have made a bold statement.
The upcoming match between Ireland and Italy is highly anticipated, particularly as it has served as a Six Nations championship decider in the last two years. 12 months ago, Ireland emerged victorious over Les Bleus with a 32-19 win in Dublin, following a 30-24 loss in Paris in 2022.
Italy, while showing considerable improvement, faces slim odds of securing a victory in Dublin, especially after their recent performance against England. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm GMT on Sunday, February 11, at the formidable Aviva Stadium, a ground where the Azzurri have never emerged victorious.
Rugby enthusiasts can catch the match live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK, while in the Republic of Ireland, the live broadcast will be available on Virgin Media. The match will be officiated by France’s Pierre Brousset, with detailed referee profiles provided by Telegraph Sport.
In team news, Ireland’s centre Garry Ringrose is anticipated to make a return for the match against Italy after missing the round-one win over France due to a shoulder injury. The 29-year-old is progressing well in his recovery and is expected to join the fully-fit squad for the Azzurri’s visit to the Aviva Stadium.
With Ringrose sidelined, Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki formed a formidable midfield partnership in Ireland’s impressive win over France. Ireland last claimed the Six Nations title in 2023, securing both the Grand Slam and Triple Crown. Italy, on the other hand, has yet to clinch the title since joining the competition in 2000, with 18 wooden spoons to their name.
Reflecting on last year’s encounter between Ireland and Italy, the heavily favored Irish team faced a resilient Italian side, eventually securing a 34-20 win. As for the latest odds, Ireland is heavily favored to win, with odds of 1/100, whereas Italy’s chances are rated at 50/1, with a draw at 150/1.
The forthcoming match is shaping up to be an exhilarating showdown between the two nations, with Ireland aiming to maintain their winning streak and Italy eager to upset the odds and secure a historic victory. Rugby fans are in for an enthralling event as these teams battle it out on the field.