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: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Tadhg Furlong, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley.
ITALY: Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin; 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.
Key reads:
- Ireland’s rugby production line desperately needs refinement
- Gerry Thornley: We could be witnessing the start of Irish rugby’s decline
- Ireland rugby fans are too cynical to emulate raucous Paris atmosphere
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Gerry Thornley went along to the Ireland press conference this afternoon where head coach Andy Farrell was in the hot seat:
Giving an overall perspective on his team selection for Saturday, Farrell said: “The team that we’ve picked is the right one for this weekend for a number of reasons.
“Last week’s performance, trying to give people a chance to show what they’ve got and how the format of the Six Nations has changed, it all gets thrown into the pot. But at the forefront of that is a team that’s picked to play against a very good Italian side.”
Edwin Edogbo is in line to make his Ireland debut off the bench. “If you look at (his) story, it’s actually phenomenal, to celebrate that with his family tonight,” Farrell said of the Munster man. “It’s going to be a joy for all of us.
“Everyone’s talked about his potential but I would like to reiterate that he’s young as far as this type of experience is concerned - big game experience, even at Munster.”
Farrell added: “This type of opportunity is going to be what he needs to kick on with his game, so we’re excited about that.”
While Edogbo is among the replacements against Italy, Cormac Izuchukwu and Robert Baloucoune make their Six Nations debuts from the off.
“The sheer pace that he’s got excites everyone,” Farrell said of Baloucoune. “Everyone loves a bit of pace within the side but it’s been a bit stop-start for him.
“But during that period from him coming in to start his international career to where he is now he’s learned a lot about himself and his game has certainly come on.
“So things are getting better as far as that’s concerned, he just needs an opportunity like this to try and do it on the big stage again,” Farrell added.
He said Izuchukwu was “a little bit like Rob”, adding the 26-year-old is “someone that we’ve earmarked for quite some time now”.
“We’ve tried to give him game time, but it’s been stop-start for him with injuries as well.”
Now, amid all the doom and gloom surrounding Irish rugby over the past week, Conor Murray thinks we might be getting carried away.
“The obituaries on Irish rugby are a tad premature,” he writes in his latest column.
“Does anyone remember the loss to Italy in 2013? It ended up being Declan Kidney’s last match as Ireland coach.”
The fiasco in Rome saw Ireland pick up three yellow cards, Murray, Brian O’Driscoll and Donnacha Ryan all serving a spell in the bin, on their way to a 22-15 defeat.
“Back in 2013, Irish rugby was washed up. The good times had come to their natural conclusion. We would remain a nuisance to the bigger nations but the Grand Slam in 2009 was the high watermark,” Murray recalls.
Following Joe Schmidt’s instalment as head coach, “we immediately won back-to-back Six Nations titles and another Grand Slam followed in 2018,” he adds.
“And then, come 2019, we were finished all over again. Schmidt left after we failed at the World Cup in Japan. It was good while it lasted.”
So, are Ireland just in another flop era? Again, hold your horses. “Right now, ahead of Italy in Dublin and the trip to Twickenham next Saturday, I am not seeing the end of anything.”
Read why he’s holding out hope below:
[ Conor Murray: Here’s why the obituaries for Irish rugby are prematureOpens in new window ]
How about a quick look at Gonzalo Quesada’s selection for Saturday:
Italy make just one enforced change from the side that beat Scotland 18-15 in their opening match.
Leonardo Marin moves from fullback to centre to replace Juan Ignacio Brex, who asked to be excused from the trip to Dublin for family reasons.
Lorenzo Pani is promoted to 15 from the bench for his first start in almost two years, meaning there’s no place in the matchday squad for Ange Capuozzo, as well as scrumhalf Stephen Varney, who both returned from injury this week.
Capuozzo has not played since breaking a finger while playing for Toulouse in the Top 14 while Varney has been nursing an adductor injury.
Quesada will be looking to use Brex’s absence to partner Marin with Tommaso Menoncello, having previously suggested the pair could become a regular midfield combination.
The head coach has gone for a 6-2 split on the bench with David Odiase one of two changes among the replacements while Paolo Odogwu is their utility back and Alessandro Garbisi covers scrumhalf.
“There is a narrative in play that Irish rugby is heading for the doldrums and there is nothing light about the shifting winds of opinion, whether they’re coming from sections of the media, its antisocial half-sibling or from bar-room conversation,” John O’Sullivan writes.
“A pummelling on the pitch in Paris has given rise to criticism and misgivings off it. They are legitimate concerns for the most part, but not without elements that are hysterical and tribal.”
He says critics have “dropped down to more parochial matters, arguments drawn on provincial lines” adding: “Ireland’s famed production line – or, truth be told, Leinster’s – has slipped into the crosshairs when it comes to doing the heavy lifting involved in providing talent for the academies.”
But with only four Irish provinces (compared to 10 and 14 teams in England and France’s respective top flights) how do we give prospective Irish internationals sufficient game-time that will bring them on for Test level?
“The Irish system, as it stands, is desperately in need of refinement and a clear-eyed commitment to unclogging the blockages,” John writes.
Read his musings in full below:
[ Ireland’s rugby production line desperately needs refinementOpens in new window ]
After last week’s first round fixtures there was a bit of movement in the World Rugby rankings.
After their win at the Stade de France, Les Bleus climbed above Ireland to fourth, while Italy jumped ahead of their opening-round opponents Scotland to now sit ninth.
England remain third, the Springboks first and the All Blacks second, while Argentina, Australia and Fiji are sixth through eighth, with Wales in 11th.
Saturday’s game at the Aviva will also be a first for the tournament as Hollie Davidson becomes the first women to referee a men’s Six Nations fixture.
The Scot spoke to Donald McRae about her journey through the sport and the abuse and sexism she was met with along the way.
“The stuff shouted from the sidelines was ridiculous,” she recalls of her early days in refereeing. “It was all about where I should be instead of a pitch or that I should be doing other things with my Saturday than refereeing a game. All the classics.”
Despite a rough start – “The beginning of my career was the most isolating and lonely point because you’re learning your craft and the resources and the right people around you are few and far between” – Davidson adds: “It’s different now. I arrive at a game with at least three of my colleagues. I’ve got my coach on the end of the line. I’ve got a manager and a sports psychologist, I’ve got all the support.”
Read the interview in full below:
Like it or not, Ireland have found themselves in a bottom-of-the-table Celtic trio along with Scotland and Wales, all having suffered opening round defeats.
“Few competitions in the world have the capacity to turn wine into water quicker than the Six Nations,” Robert Kitson writes.
“Only a few days ago players, coaches and fans of Ireland, Scotland and Wales were poring over the championship fixture list with their customary annual relish. Now, after just one round, they are having to deal with the most sobering Celtic wake‑up call for more than a quarter of a century.”
He also puts forward an interesting note: “Remarkably this was the first time since 2000 that all three Celtic nations have lost on the opening Six Nations weekend. Partly that has been a byproduct of how the fixtures have fallen but, even so, it should prompt alarm bells.”
Read Robert’s piece in full below:
[ Six Nations on road to perdition unless chastening Celtic wake-up call is heededOpens in new window ]
Andy Farrell’s been chatting through his selection:
“Saturday provides us with a great opportunity in front of a packed home crowd at Aviva Stadium. We’ve had some great battles against Italy in recent years and Saturday will be no different.
“We know we have to reach a consistently high standard and that’s the exciting challenge that awaits us. There has been a positive reaction in training this week and we’ll aim to keep on building into the weekend.”
Farrell added: “In congratulating all of the 23 on their selection, I would like to single out Edwin [Edogbo] on his first selection for the senior team. A product of the club game with Cobh Pirates and UCC, he has shown real quality in his performances for Munster and in training with us over recent times.
“We will aim to make it a special day for Edwin, his family and all those who have played a part in his journey to date.”
Italy’s team has also landed. Here’s how they line out.
ITALY: Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin; 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.
Gerry Thornley’s reaction hot off the press:
Andy Farrell has made half a dozen changes in personnel to the Ireland 15 for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Italy at a sold-out Aviva Stadium, with Munster secondrow Edwin Edogbo in line for his Test debut off the bench.
The Ulster pair of Robert Baloucoune and Cormac Izuchukwu have been named in the starting team, while the fit-again James Lowe is also recalled. Craig Casey has been promoted from the bench, as have James Ryan and Jack Conan following their impact in the 36-14 loss to France last week, with captain Caelan Doris shifting to openside as Josh van der Flier misses out on the matchday 23 altogether.
Jamie Osborne continues at fullback, while Stuart McCloskey Garry Ringrose continue their partnership in midfield, as do the front row trio of Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan and Thomas Clarkson. Joe McCarthy also remains in the secondrow as Sam Prendergast holds on to the 10 jersey.
Tadhg Furlong is named on the bench as he returns from injury and, more surprisingly, Tom O’Toole has been named to cover loosehead ahead of Michael Milne after the Munster man’s try-scoring debut in Paris.
It’s not the first time Farrell has made a selection which goes against perceived wisdom, and his hunches generally pay off; he has apparently been asking Ulster to play O’Toole at loosehead for the last season or two.
O’Toole has been training on both sides of the scrum in camp but for the last three seasons all of his Ulster starts have come at tighthead, with the province having Australia’s Angus Bell on hand at loosehead.
Tadhg Beirne and Jamison Gibson-Park drop to the 6-2 bench, with Nick Timoney retained after his try-scoring cameo against France.
Farrell has wasted little time in elevating Edogbo, calling him in to train with the squad in Chicago after his first game back following a two-year absence due to a second ruptured Achilles. A head knock during Munster’s win over Leinster at Croke Park last year put a spanner in the works, but the 23-year-old has impressed in training and is now set to become the first player from Cobh Pirates to line out for Ireland.
Izuchukwu – born in London to an Irish mother and Nigerian father and who moved to Offaly at seven – earned his first Ireland cap in November 2024 against Fiji but Saturday will mark the 26-year-old’s Six Nations debut.
His Ulster team-mate Baloucoune has faced injury woes, winning the last of his four caps in November 2022. But the pacy 28-year-old has been in fine form for his province this season, scoring six tries in six games.
Here we have it, Ireland’s matchday squad for Saturday’s clash at the Aviva against Italy.
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: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Tadhg Furlong, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley.
Nathan Johns was back with some analysis after the French defeat. In short: Ireland’s current style of play doesn’t suit the players we have at our disposal.
“On Thursday’s evidence, Ireland are not yet adept at using the boot to create and exploit broken field opportunities. They did not win enough aerial battles nor did they cash in on the handful of duels that were won. The evolution of the transition attack has some way yet to go,” Nathan writes.
Have a read of his analysis below:
[ Right now, Ireland’s game plan does not suit its playersOpens in new window ]
Gerry Thornley had a go at predicting this weekend’s Ireland side to face Italy, and he came up with some interesting changes.
He thinks James Lowe is set for a return on the wing, while Ulster duo Cormac Izuchukwu and Robert Baloucoune may be in line for starts.
Although Gerry thinks Sam Prendergast will be retained at 10, he predicts the outhalf will be partnered with Munster’s Craig Casey, giving Jamison Gibson-Park a seat on the bench.
Here’s what Gerry believes Saturday’s matchday squad will look like:
Ireland (possible v Italy): Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; S Prendergast, Casey; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Izuchukwu, Doris (capt), Conan.
Replacements: Kelleher, O’Toole, Furlong, Edogbo, Beirne, Timoney, Gibson-Park, Crowley.
We’ll know shortly how closely aligned GT’s thinking is to that of Andy Farrell.
In his latest column, Gordon D’Arcy pondered the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) devised by a US military strategist.
“Thursday night in Paris felt like watching that theory play out on a rugby pitch. France observed space, oriented themselves to it, decided to attack it and acted.
“It appeared that Ireland observed the same space, oriented themselves to a predetermined structure, decided to follow the plan and missed valuable half-chances as they presented themselves. The game, in many ways, was decided by that gap,” he writes.
“Paris strips away the external noise and shows you exactly where you are. I find myself torn between encouragement and serious concern. This wasn’t the apocalypse, but it wasn’t a performance that screams world-class.”
Read his thoughts in full below:
Just 30 minutes to the Ireland team announcement now.
We had a few sobering reads in the fallout of Ireland’s loss to France last week.
It might not be time to hit the doomsday button just yet, but there may be an ominous sense that Ireland’s seat at rugby’s top table is starting to be pulled out from under them.
“So then, that was the week that was. The week when Irish rugby, depending on your viewpoint, either suffered further evidence of a temporary blip or hit a wall,” Gerry Thornley wrote earlier this week.
“Opinions differ among people who have a knowledgeable affiliation with rugby in this country as to whether this is a lull or something deeper. One can make an argument either way.”
Casting an eye to Saturday, Gerry added: “The events of last Thursday night in Paris have reinforced the view that in a particularly challenging Six Nations for Ireland, Italy have never looked so dangerous.”
Read the piece in full below:
[ We could be witnessing the start of Irish rugby’s declineOpens in new window ]
Italy will have a pep in their step coming to Dublin this weekend after their win last time out against Scotland.
So, are wounded Ireland vulnerable to an Italian job? That’s the question Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy discussed on the latest episode of The Counter Ruck podcast.
They also look at some of the wider tactical and skill set deficiencies plaguing Irish rugby, and what can be done to stop the rot.
You can listen below, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Are wounded Ireland vulnerable to an Italian job?
You can check out more from The Counter Ruck here and stay up to date with all the latest episodes.
“There was a ruck on the letters pages of The Irish Times at the end of last week. Or maybe it was a maul,” Denis Walsh wrote earlier this week, writing of a rather heated debate which kicked off after a reader said he was dreading the invasion of the “wax-jacketed seasonal rugger buggers” into pubs as the Six Nations returned.
Some were amused by the comment, others aghast, with Denis reasoning there’s a “subliminal stand-off between the blowhards and the blow-ins”.
“To sustain itself in the professional era, rugby needed to broaden its appeal. It was a commercial imperative.
“In every sport, bandwagon-jumpers are regarded as opportunistic and flighty, and their behaviour is sniffed at by the long-suffering hard-core, but rugby needed heavily populated bandwagons in order to wash its face.”
Read the piece in full below:
[ Irish rugby bickering is a collision between blowhards and blow-insOpens in new window ]
Here’s how the table looks after round one:
France opened their title defence with a 36-14 bonus-point win over Ireland in Paris last Thursday with Louis Bielle-Biarrey in electric form at the Stade de France.
Skip on to Saturday, Italy hosted Scotland at the Stadio Olympic, which was so drenched they were almost playing water polo for a finish. The Italians held on for an 18-15 win, their first opening-round victory since 2013, piling pressure on Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend ahead of his side hosting old rivals England this weekend.
Speaking of England, they gave Wales an absolute thumping at Twickenham. The poor Welsh haven’t been having an easy time of it lately, and the 48-7 defeat gave no indication their fortunes will be changing any time soon.
Okay, now that we’ve lightened the mood with some off-the-pitch antics, time to turn our attention back to the rugby itself.
Our second round fixtures go like this:
Ireland v Italy, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, 2.10pm
Scotland v England, Murrayfield, Saturday, 4.40pm
Wales v France, Principality Stadium, Sunday, 3.10pm
Do we want to relive last week? No, not really. It was a rather painful start to the tournament after all.
However, we’re made of stern stuff, and if I was to avoid all mention of last Thursday’s result in favour of chirpier content I’ll run out of things to say fairly rapid.
So how about we ease ourselves in with a story from last Saturday’s game between England and Wales at Twickenham.
Hello everyone! Welcome along to The Irish Times live blog for Ireland’s round two Six Nations team announcement.
Andy Farrell will name his side to face Italy at 2pm, with Gonzalo Quesada due to do name his matchday 23 shortly.
The game will be played at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 2.10pm.
We’ve a while to go before the teams are announced, so in the meantime we’ll be running through what happened in round one as well as looking ahead to this weekend’s action across the tournament.
