Italy will be looking to stop the Six Nations rot when they travel to the Aviva Stadium to face off against red-hot Ireland.
Sunday 27 February
17:00
Aviva Stadium – Dublin
Ireland N/A | Draw 50/1 | Italy 22/1
Handicap
Ireland (-38.5) 9/10 | Italy (+38.5) 9/10
Italy face yet another daunting task this coming weekend as they head to fortress Aviva for a clash with the Irish. The Azzurri have already shipped 70 points in their opening two games, and failed to register a point in the second of those, going down 33-0 to England.
And while hope abounds for Italian rugby with their U21 side beating England in the Junior Six Nations, their senior team really needs to at least show a competitive edge as their record in the tournament goes from bad to worse with each passing week.
While Italy are two for zero in the 2022 Six Nations, Ireland have managed one win and a loss beating Wales 29-7 on the opening weekend before going down 30-24 to France in Round 2.
Ireland received a timely boost this past week with fly-half Johnny Sexton, who missed the clash against France, set to overcome his hamstring injury in time to take on the Italians. He is likely to only feature off the bench, however, as his understudy Joey Carbery should crack the nod as the starting ten for a clash against the minnows.
Verdict: Ireland (-38.5) 9/10
This Irish team should have far too much about them on a track where they beat New Zealand a couple months ago. I fully expect the hosts to clear a big handicap here.
