Ireland vs Italy Six Nations Clash: TV Channel, Kick-off Time and Team News
Ireland will be aiming to recover from a challenging defeat to France as they welcome Italy to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin for the second round of the Six Nations championship. This highly anticipated match promises to be a pivotal moment in the tournament, with both teams looking to assert their dominance early in the competition.
Match Details and Viewing Information
The Ireland versus Italy fixture is scheduled to commence at 2.10pm GMT on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The venue for this exciting encounter is the iconic Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which is expected to be filled with passionate rugby fans.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on ITV1, with comprehensive coverage starting from 1pm GMT. Additionally, a live stream will be accessible via the ITVX platform, ensuring that fans can follow the action from anywhere.
Team News and Line-ups
Ireland's head coach Andy Farrell has introduced several new faces to the starting line-up following their recent loss in Paris. Ulster players Cormac Izuchukwu and Robert Baloucoune are set to make their Six Nations debuts, adding fresh energy to the squad. Izuchukwu joins a reconfigured back row, where captain Caelan Doris will operate on the openside, and Jack Conan has been promoted to start at number eight. On the wings, Baloucoune will partner with the recalled James Lowe.
From the bench, talented Munster lock Edwin Edogbo is poised to make his international debut, providing additional strength to the forward pack.
Italy, under the guidance of Gonzalo Quesada, are forced to adjust their backline due to the unavailability of Juan Ignacio Brex for personal reasons. Leonardo Marin shifts from full-back to inside centre, prompting Lorenzo Pani to join the back three and Tommaso Menoncello to move to the number 13 position. The bench features a six forwards to two backs split, with David Odiase and Paolo Odogwu adding depth to the replacements.
Historical Context and Expectations
It has been thirteen years since Italy last secured a victory over Ireland in the Six Nations, making this match a potential turning point for the Italian squad. After an impressive opening win against Scotland in difficult conditions in Rome, Italy are riding a wave of confidence and will be eager to challenge Ireland's resilience.
For Ireland, this match represents an opportunity to regroup and demonstrate their championship credentials after a tough night in Paris. The extended preparation time since their Thursday start has allowed the team to reflect on their performance and make necessary adjustments.
Full Team Line-ups
Ireland XV: 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Thomas Clarkson; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 7 Caelan Doris (capt.), 8 Jack Conan; 9 Craig Casey, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 James Lowe, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Robert Baloucoune; 15 Jamie Osborne.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Tadhg Beirne, 21 Nick Timoney; 22 Jamison Gibson-Park, 23 Jack Crowley.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Michele Lamaro (capt.), 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Alessandro Fusco, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Leonardo Marin, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Lorenzo Pani.
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.
