Italy vs Ireland Predictions - Italy can cover against Ireland

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 13 Mar 2025

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Ralph Staniforth 13 Mar 2025

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Italy displays fluctuating form with recent wins and losses.
Ireland's title hopes hinge on multiple outcomes, needing a major win.
Key player changes in both teams could impact the match outcome.

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Italy can compete against Ireland in Rome (Getty Images)

Italy vs Ireland Preview

Italy have a fine side despite their ability to sometimes get blown off the park. They do, however, posses the quality to challenge Ireland and remain within the 20.5 handicap.

Italy vs Ireland Preview
Head to Head
Italy Form
Italy Injuries & Team News
Ireland Form
Ireland Injuries & Team News

Italy have lost 3 of their last 4 matches.
Ireland have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
Ireland have won their last 15 matches against Italy.

Head to Head

Ireland have won their last 15 games against Italy with the last Italian win coming in 2013. Last season, Ireland beat Italy 36-0 in Dublin

Italy Form

Italy have once again impressed on occasion in 2025 but have also been disappointing. Their only win thus far has come at home against Wales.

In round one, Italy lost 31-19 in Scotland, a good performance after a poor start to the game. They then beat Wales 22-15 in Rome before being hammered 73-24 by France at home.

Last weekend, while they competed well in some respects, England were too good at Twickenham, winning the game 47-24.

Italy Injuries & Team News

Italy have made seven changes to their squad of this fixture. Two of which is simply positional. The biggest change is the replacement of captain Michele Lamaro.

Ireland Form

Ireland still have a shot at retaining the Six Nations title for the third successive year, but this time they will require favours from others – all of which is unlikely.

Last week, Ireland were still heavily favoured to win the title until they lost at home to France. That defeat has dropped the Irish down to third behind England and France. Victory in this game with a bonus point will keep their hopes alive, but it will require both England and France to lose.

Last weekend, after Ireland had beaten England, Scotland and Wales, they succumbed 42-27 to a rampant French side in Dublin.

Ireland Injuries & Team News

Jack Crowley gets a rare start at flyhalf for Ireland this weekend. They have made a few other changes as well. Caelan Doris has been named captain with Peter O’Mahony and Connor Murray both on the bench.