With their dreams of an historic threepeat in tatters, Ireland will still look to end their Six Nations campaign with a bang against Italy in the final round at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
To Win
Italy | Draw | Ireland
Handicap
Italy | Ireland
The Irish were comprehensively beaten by France in Dublin a week ago to surrender the top spot to Les Bleus and with it control of their championship destiny. Indeed, the only way Ireland can still claim the tournament crown form here is by beating Italy with a bonus point and hoping that both the French and second-placed English fail to win on Super Saturday, which, considering what we saw from the latter two sides in round four, feels like an impossibility.
Still, Simon Easterby’s charges will be hellbent on doing all they can to ensure they are still in the running by taking out their frustrations on Italy, a side against whom they haven’t lost in a 15-straight Test match run stretching back to 2013. The head coach has recalled Jack Crowley at No. 10 at the expense of Sam Prendergast for this one, with the Munsterman earning his first start of the campaign.
Garry Ringrose and Mack Hansen also return to the fold from suspension and injury respectively, while James Lowe is back on the left wing after injuring himself in the pre-game warm-up last week. Jack Conan also replaces Peter O’Mahony in the back row while Joe McCarthy, who copped a needless yellow card against France, is replaced by James Ryan in the second row.
Italy came off the back of a 47-24 drubbing by England in London and, with four log points to their name, remain in danger of a wooden spoon finish given Wales is just a point behind them. They’ve had their moments but, defensively, they’ve been poor, shipping the most points (166) in the whole championship.
The Rome crowd will have their back for this one, but in all honesty it’s tough seeing them keep pace with a hurting Irish unit with a point to prove. The double-defending champions’ forward power should batter the hosts into submission with a third-quarter blowout on the cards.
Verdict: Ireland on the minus
Ireland to collect the BP win in Rome, though it may be too little too late in the grander scheme of things.
