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Result to deepen the wounds of the green machine or to renew trust – the Irish times

Six nations: Italy against Ireland,
Stadio Olimpico, Rome,
Saturday, 2:15 p.m. (live on Rté)

Rain weather on arrival for the advancing sightseeers of the Green Army, the possible disorders, which represented by an admittedly meant, pro-European/pro-Ukraine demonstration on the game day and the threat of strikes of unions that represent the aviation workers on Sunday.

Oh yes, and not a Grand slam on the line and most likely not a title in history. Although a warm afternoon is expected to be in Rome, it will not be exactly like the Irish squad and the estimated 25,000 Irish travelers had imagined the game of St. Patrick's Weekend.

But thanks to the 42:27 strokes of France at home last week, Ireland has been in today's inclination for the title for England and Les Bleus for Ducks for England and Les Bleus. First of all, Ireland would have to beat Italy with a bonus point and then hope that they will make eight points or more in England because they are at least taking off a bonus point in Cardiff, and finally that France Scotland did not defeat the title of the title for taking.

Admittedly, several favorites have overthrew in a week of surprises in Cheltenham. Nevertheless, Ireland is now 20: 1 to win the title, 1-10 favorites with England at 17-2 and France. Said nuff.

In truth, the title has disappeared, and third place is behind an English team that had convincingly beat Ireland on the opening weekend.

Regardless of what the final table is finally, the sheer scale of the defeat of last week cannot be deleted from the record books or the scars. However, it is crucial that this game either tightened or at least begins to relieve them. Well, the performance is now more important than with a slam if the result was of the greatest importance. For this ad, a kind of instruction and a common edition will be marked as a group.

After they were adopted by Cian Healy last week, the team offers of Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray took place, and no more suitable place to send two centurions as Rome, provided that there is no repetition of the only loss here on the last day in 2013.

O'Mahony and Murray are the only survivors from that day when the slaughter on this Irish team struck that O'Mahony played most of the game as an emergency wing player. The defeat also marked the end of Declan Kidney's time as head coach, only four seasons after led Ireland to a Grand Slam.

But if you say goodbye to a few Münster warriors, this game may also be a new beginning for this squad and therefore has a different meaning, which is more relevant to the team overall than the travelers.

Steve Aboud: The Irish who saved the Italian rugby

“We weren't good enough in many areas last week,” admitted Simon Easterby. “And I think the squad has a real internal motivation to provide and play your best when you play in an Irish jersey.

“We did not match these expectations and the standards that would have been determined over a good period of time. We didn't get to these standards last week.

“So our challenge and the challenge for the players are to achieve their best performance so far. This is all we talked about. And you are right, it's a different dynamic. We cannot change what was going on last Saturday, but we can certainly have an impact on performance and the right result this weekend.

Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan Limber before the Italian game. Photo: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan Limber before the Italian game. Photo: Billy Stickland/Inpho

“And then who knows? There is an opportunity and we just have to make sure that this week we have prepared in the right way against a really good Italian team that wants to introduce it to us. The type of performance you have achieved in the past few weeks is probably also disappointing.

“It is a fascinating matchup. We know what we have to do to get the best out of ourselves, and we have to make sure that we concentrate in full. “

Easterby has made six changes to his starting XV to remind Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, James Ryan and Jack Conan.

Ringrose and the returning wing players should give a defense that had some strange setups and malfunctions, a better balance and were too often beaten on the edges for comfort in this championship. Conans survey should create more go-forward ball. In his part, the recalled Crowley is under the pressure to re -ing an attack that looked blunt last week, not least by bringing these wingers into play.

Italy match gives Ireland ‘massive opportunity’ to turn bad day into start of better timesOpens in new window ]

Gonzalo Quesada was even more drastic last Sunday in revising the Italian XV. The most remarkable change is that Manuel Zuliani captain Michele Lamaro and Juan Ignacio Brex takes over the captain. Lorenzo Cannone also returns in the backstock, while Dino Lamb and Federico Ruzza form a new Secondrow, with Simone Ferrari and Hooker also reminding Simone Ferrari and Hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi.

Martin Page-Relo replaces Stephen Varney at Scrumhalf, and Tommaso Allan returns to Fullback, which means that the dangerous man returns to the right wing. Italy decided a 6-2 split on the bench.

Italy was a strange case this season. Their defense was poorly withered in the second half against France and England, but they also fired many shots and achieved six attempts in these defeats.

The Azzurri achieve an excellent return from their clever and varied kick game and may have the best midfield partnership of the championship in Tommaso Menoncello and Brex as well as a real threat to the Slippery Capuozzo.

The Ireland squad during a training session before participating against Italy on Saturday. Photo: Ben Brady/Inpho
The Ireland squad during a training session before participating against Italy on Saturday. Photo: Ben Brady/Inpho

“They are really dangerous, very difficult,” said Easterby. “I think your axis of 10-12-13 is really strong and important, especially when attacking. Garbisi, if he is, if it is Tommaso Allan, you have this kick game that can hurt the team. But Brex and Menoncello are also class players. You have really strong elements in your game and are very involved in the attack game.

“They give them a lot of go forward. So yes, it is a really good challenge for us and one that the players really look forward to. “

It is generally for the benefit of a game when Luke Pearce is responsible because he is a very good referee who likes to let a game flow and the Irish teams don't seem to like like some English officials.

This team needs a professional, accurate and clinical representation to cross many boxes to banish at least some of their French demons.

Italy: Tommaso Allan (USAP, France); Appointed Capuozzo (Stade Toulousain), Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton Rugby, Capt), Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby), Monty Ioane (Lou, France); Paolo Garbisi (RC Toulon), Martin Page-Relo (Lou, France); Danilo Fischetti (Zebre Parma), Gianmarco Lucchesi (RC Toulon), Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby), Dino Lamb (Harlequins), Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby), Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby), Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby), Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby). Substitute: Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Francais), Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby), Giosuè Zilocchi (Benetton Rugby), Niccolò -Kanon (Benetton Rugby), Michele Lamaro (Benetton Rugby), Ross Vintcent (exeter -Chiefs), Stephen Varney, Rucney Vanney), Francel, Leonardo, Marins Varney (Ruc Vanned), France, Leonardo, Leonardo, Marin Varney (Ruc Vanned),.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht); Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaners/Leinster); James Lowe (Leinster); Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht), James Ryan (UCD/Leinster), Tadhg. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary's College/Leinster, Capt). Substitute: Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster), Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Linster); Peter O'Mahony (cork constitution/Münster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster), Bundee Aki (Galweger/Connacht).

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Assistant: Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)

TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)

Overall head on the head: Played 37, Italy 4 victories, 0 draw, Ireland 33 victories.

The last five meetings: (2024) Ireland 36 Italy 0. (2023) Ireland 33 Italy 17th (2023): Italy 20 Ireland 34-20; (2022) Ireland 57 Italy 6th (2021) Italy 10 Ireland 48.

Betting (Paddy Power): 9-1 Italy, 50-1 draw, 1-16. Handicap Odds (Italy + 21pts), Evens Italy, 16/1 Draw, Ireland Evens.

Forecast: Ireland to win 15 to 20 points.