Preview: Ireland vs Italy

Round 3 in Pool D throws up Ireland's first real test of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. While Romania and Canada posed certain threats of their own, today's opponents Italy offer a much sterner test. Both sides will be familiar with each other's style of play, so their can be no doubting this will be a fiercely competitive affair.

Italy have been moving through the competition in quiet fashion so far, having lost predictably against France in their pool opener, before eventually dispatching Canada by a decent margin last week. Today they welcome back talismanic captain Sergio Parisse for his first appearance at this years World Cup, having missed the two previous matches through injury. He is sure to bring passion and pride to a side which have looked under cooked in recent weeks. 

Irish coach Joe Schmidt has named a side which looks to be as close to full strength as possible. Rob Kearney misses out through injury at full back and is replaced by Simon Zebo, who impressed in the position last weekend. Jared Payne is also ruled out with injury, giving Keith Earls an opportunity at centre. He will be partnered at centre by the returning Robbie Henshaw, who makes his World Cup debut having overcome the knock which kept him out of Ireland's previous two pool matches.

The key head to head clash will be at number 8, where the aforementioned Parisse comes up against Irish stalwart Jamie Heaslip. Both players are leaders in their respective sides, with the work rate of Healsip a perfect foil for the free running of Parisse. The winner of this battle will go along way to deciding today's victor.