Italy host high-flying Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico looking to avoid a blowout defeat in the absence of Johnny Sexton in round three of the Six Nations.
Italy v Ireland
Saturday 25 February
16:15
Stadio Olimpico
Italy 12/1 | Draw 45/1 Ireland 1/50
Handicap
Italy (+22.5) 9/10 | Ireland (-22.5) 9/10
Having dispatched of defending champions and World No 2-ranked France in the second round in Dublin, the Irish are now well-poised for a proper assault on a first championship since 2018. And with an away clash at Murrayfield and final home game against a shaky England still to come for, it’s difficult not to see them taking full advantage of their favourable tournament schedule to achieve a Grand Slam this season.
Andy Farrell is without skipper Jonathan Sexton this weekend, with the Test centurion still dealing with a leg injury sustained against the French. James Ryan will instead lead the team out at the Stadio Olimpico with Ross Byrne set to slot in at flyhalf.
Given the side’s dependence on the 37-year-old Sexton’s world class ability, it’s perhaps a blessing in disguise that Byrne takes the reins in a low-stakes match like this one. With the World Cup just months away, it’s important Ireland learns to deal without Sexton should he become unavailable at any point during the global showpiece.
Our captain! 👏#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 22, 2023
Italy gave France a proper round one run in Rome, eventually going down 24-29 but not before coming back from a 13-point deficit to lead 24-22 with less than a quarter to play. They have some real quality in loose forward Sebastian Negri and fullback Ange Capuozzo, but unfortunately the side doesn’t have the attacking nous, nor raw physicality to break down what is a superbly drilled Ireland setup.
The World No 1s should claim another bonus-point victory this weekend, but the absence of Sexton as well as the grit of the Italians won’t see them clear the handicap.
