Ireland vs Italy Betting Tips - Tight contest predicted for Dublin in Six Nations
Ireland remains the favorite in their upcoming rugby clash against Italy, having won their last 15 encounters. However, Ireland's recent performance has been lackluster, showing signs of decline as evidenced by their recent outings against top teams. Conversely, Italy has shown significant improvement, securing key victories against formidable teams. Last weekend, Italy achieved a morale-boosting victory over Scotland in challenging conditions. Given Ireland's recent struggles and Italy's upward trajectory, the 17.5-point handicap seems advantageous to Italy, with this match promising a closer competition than expected.
- Ireland has won the last 15 matches against Italy but is in a downward trend.
- Italy shows improvement with recent wins, making the 17.5-point handicap valuable.
- Italy's recent victory over Scotland boosts their confidence for the Dublin clash.
Italy are fast improving while Ireland are on a downward trend. Ireland are favourites but the 17.5 handicap looks steep to me. The value is on Italy here.
- Italy Improving Every Year
- Ireland Utterly Dominant
- Ireland Trending Downward
- Italy getting Big Result
- Ireland vs Italy Teams & News
Italy Improving Every Year
- Ireland have won their last 15 matches against Italy.
- Ireland have lost 3 of their last 5 matches.
- Italy have won 2 of their last 3 matches.
- Italy lost by 5 points to Ireland in 2025.
Ireland Utterly Dominant
Ireland lead 15-0 in their last 15 games against Italy.
Ireland Trending Downward
Ireland, one of the top sides in world rugby over the last five or six years, have hit a stumbling block. The signs were there last year already and last weekend in Paris proved the decline.
The Irish finished second in the 2025 Six Nations but were well beaten at home by France in their only defeat. In November 2025, South Africa outplayed Ireland and annihilated their scrum after New Zealand also got the better of the former world No.1 side.
Last Thursday, Ireland traveled to Paris for their 2026 Six Nations opener, a game that they were expected to challenge in. However, they were never in the match as France raced into a huge lead by half time. Despite some fight in the second half, Ireland went down 36-14.
Italy getting Big Result
Italian rugby continues to improve and every year they seem to claim more wins against big nations. Last season, while the Six Nations didn’t go great, they did beat Australia and ran South Africa close for 60 minutes.
Last weekend saw Italy take another big step, beating Scotland in Rome. It wasn’t a great game, but it was played in very heavy rain, which made it tough for both sides.
Italy came away with an impressive 18-15 win, and they will feel like challenging Ireland in Dublin is possible.
Ireland vs Italy Teams & News
Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Caelan Doris (captain), 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Jeremy Loughman.
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Tadhg Beirne, 21 Nick Timoney, 22 Jamison Gibson-Park, 23 Jack Crowley.
Ireland head coach, Andy Farrell has made sweeping changes to the side for this weekend after a very poor showing in Paris. At the team announcement, he was happy with preparation this week.
“We’re very happy because nobody was holding back. There was a lot of honesty and no excuses. We tried to get back to simplifying things down and to understand what we stand for as a team. You always think that preparations are going right, but until you get a smack in the face like we did in Paris, you find out about yourselves. The good thing is, nine days later, we get another crack at it.”
Italy: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Leonardo Marin, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Michele Lamaro (captain), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiase, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Paolo Odogwu.
Gonzalo Quesada has named Lorenzo Pani in the side for the first time in two years. He is the only change to the Italian side. Quesada told reporters, “We’ve decided to put our faith in Lorenzo Pani. He worked hard in November, training the entire time with the national team without ever playing. Then he improved a lot and is coming off two or three excellent matches with Zebre. Some of his qualities will be important on Saturday.”
Verdict
Italy have been consistent over the last 12 months and can get within 17.5 points of Ireland.
Italy +17.5
Handicap
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He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.
Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.
Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.
He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.
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