Match Day Programme: Ireland vs. Italy

Fixture: Ireland vs Italy

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin 

Kick-off: 15:00 (GMT)

Referee: Luke Pearce

Assistant Referees: Mathieu Raynal (Fra) & Luc Ramos (Fra)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

Head-to-head Played:

Played:36

Ireland Wins: 32 

Italy Wins: 4 

Draws: 0

Points for:

Ireland: 1,296

Italy: 538

Last Meeting: 5 August, 2023 – Ireland 33-17 Italy – Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland (World Cup Warm Up)

2024 6Nations Results

Ireland

W 17-38 (a) France

Italy

L 24-27 (h) England

2023 6Nations Results

Ireland

W 10-34 (a) Wales

W 32-19 (h) France

W 20-34 (a) v Italy

W 7-22 (h) v Scotland

W 29-16 (h) v England

Italy

L 24-29 (h) v France

L 14-31 (a) v England

L 20-34 (h) v Ireland

L 17-29 (h) v Wales

L 14-26 (a) v Scotland

Team News:

Ireland: Peter O'Mahony has been ruled out of contention for this match after being withdrawn in their opener against France, which will see Caelan Doris captain the side while also switching from number eight to openside flanker. Doris's move to the second row affords Ryan Baird a Six Nations opportunity at the six position, while Jack Conan is set to be brought in at number eight by Farrell.

Scotland: Quesada has made four changes to his starting lineup for Sunday's clash, the first being the return of Ange Capuozzo, who was unable to participate in last week's match against England. In addition to Capuozzo's return, there is one more alteration in the backline, with Stephen Varney stepping in to replace Alessandro Garbisi, who is omitted from the matchday squad.

Trivia:

• Ireland have won each of their last 16 Test matches on home soil, their longest ever such run in men’s Test rugby, with Ireland scoring four tries or more in 12 of those 16 matches

• Ireland have won each of their last nine games in the Six Nations, their longest ever such run in the Five or Six Nations. In fact, only England (W11, 2015-17) have reached double figures for consecutive victories in the Championship since Italy joined in 2000

• Italy have won just one of their last 43 Six Nations matches (L42) and have lost each of their last six in the competition. However, each of the Azzurri’s last two Championship wins have come away from home (against Wales in 2022, and Scotland in 2015)