Ireland Seek to Rebound Against Italy After Paris Setback
Following a disappointing start to their Six Nations campaign with a defeat in Paris, Ireland turn their attention to a home fixture against an Italian side showing increasing promise. Andy Farrell has made six changes to the starting lineup, signaling a desire for a response against the Azzurri.
Farrell Shuffles Pack for Aviva Stadium Clash
The Irish team will spot Robert Baloucoune and Cormac Izuchukwu earn starting spots, while Edwin Edogbo is in line for his debut from the bench. These changes come after a post-match analysis of the performance against France, with discussions focusing on areas for improvement across the squad.
Italy’s Ascent: A Growing Threat
Italy arrive in Dublin with confidence boosted by a recent victory over Scotland. Gonzalo Quesada’s leadership has seen the team achieve four wins in the Six Nations, and a draw against France, demonstrating a clear upward trajectory. While Ireland historically dominate this fixture – winning 25 of 26 encounters – recent results suggest a narrowing gap.
Historical Dominance Meets Present-Day Challenge
Ireland have won all thirteen Six Nations matches played in Dublin against Italy, often by significant margins. However, Italy’s recent form, including a narrow defeat for Ireland in Rome last year, indicates they are no longer a guaranteed win. The aggregate score from the last three Six Nations games at the Aviva Stadium stands at 143-23 in Ireland’s favour, but Quesada will be aiming to disrupt that trend.
Davidson to Make History as First Female Referee
Saturday’s match will also be a landmark occasion for refereeing, with Hollie Davidson set to become the first woman to take charge of a men’s Six Nations game. The Scottish official will lead the officiating team, including assistant referees Matthew Carley and Luc Ramos, and TMO Ian Tempest.
Team Lineups
Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Cormac Izuchukwu, Caelan Doris (capt), Jack Conan.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Tadhg Furlong, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley.
Italy: Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Leonardo Marin, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari; Niccolo Cannone, Andrea Zambonin; Michele Lamaro (capt), Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Tommaso di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, David Odiase, Alessandro Garbisi, Paolo Odogwu.
Match Details
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Date: Saturday, February 13, 2026
Kick-off: 2.10pm Irish time
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Broadcast Information
TV: Ireland v Italy (Saturday, 2.10pm Irish time) is live on Virgin Media. Wales v France (Sunday, 3.10pm) is on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Radio: Listen to live commentary of Ireland v Italy on RTÉ Radio 1.
Online: Follow a live blog of Ireland v Italy on RTE.ie/sport and the RTÉ News App.
Weather Forecast
Saturday is expected to be a cold day with highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees. A frosty start with some icy patches is anticipated, but it should remain dry during daylight hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the Ireland vs Italy match being played?
A: Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Q: What time does the match kick off?
A: 2.10pm Irish time.
Q: Who is the referee for the match?
A: Hollie Davidson.
Q: How many times have Ireland and Italy played each other in the Six Nations?
A: They have played 26 times, with Ireland winning 25 of those matches.
