Dublin is the venue for the first match in Round 2 of the 2026 Six Nations as Ireland clash with Italy
Ireland v Italy, Saturday 14th February, Dublin, KO 16:10 (South African time)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Weather Forecast – Dublin
Ireland:
Ireland were given around 13.5 points tart on the bookmakers main handicap line for their Round 1 clash with France in Paris last week and that wasn’t enough as they finished well beaten 36-14. France scored the first 29 points of the game before Ireland scored 2 tries either side of the hour mark through Nick Timoney and Michael Milne both converted by Sam Prendergast. Les Bleus scored 5 tries in total to secure a bonus point and Ireland left empty handed.
In last years Six Nations Ireland began with wins at home to England (27-22), in Scotland (32-18) and in Wales (7-18). They lost a crucial game at home to France (42-27) before finishing off with a 22-17 win in Italy. Although they had the same win / loss record as the top 2 sides Ireland finished third in the standings, 1 point behind England and 2 shy of France.
In the Six Nations outright betting Hollywoodbets have Ireland priced at 33/1 to win the title and 5/1 or the triple crown.
Results and Fixtures: R1 France (a) lost 36-14, R2 Italy (h), R3 England (a), R4 Wales (h), Scotland (h)
Italy:
Italy were 8.5 point underdogs for their clash with Scotland in Rome last week and they didn’t need any of it as they came out on top 18-15. Tries in the first 13 minutes from Louis Lynagh and Tommaso Menoncello put them in control, Paolo Garbisi landed one conversion and a couple of penalties either side of half time and although Scotland reduced the deficit with plenty of time remaining Italy had done enough.
In the Six Nations last year Italy lost in Scotland (31-19) before beating Wales in a home fixture (22-15). They went on to lose at home to France (73-24), in England (47-24) and they went down 22-17 at home to Ireland.
In the Six Nations outright betting Hollywoodbets have Italy priced up as 150/1 shots to win the title and they are 23/10 to finish with the wooden spoon.
Results and Fixtures: R1 Scotland (h) won 18-15, R2 Ireland (a), R3 France (a), R4 England (h), R5 Wales (a)
Recent Head to Head
Mar 2025 6N Rome Italy 17-22 Ireland
Feb 2024 6N Dublin Ireland 36-0 Italy
Aug 2023 INT Dublin Ireland 33-17 Italy
Feb 2023 6N Rome Italy 20-34 Ireland
Feb 2022 6N Dublin Ireland 57-6 Italy
Team 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 (c), 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
Italy: 15. Lorenzo Pani; 14. Louis Lynagh, 13. Tommaso Menoncello, 12. Leonardo Marin, 11. Monty Ioane; 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Alessandro Fusco; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone Ferrari; 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Andrea Zambonin; 6 Michele Lamaro (c), 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone
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
The Betting
Updated 13 Feb 08h55
Ireland -17.5 points at 9/10
Italy +17.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
This Weeks Bets
Bet: Ireland v Italy – Trying a Bet Builder
Posted 13 Feb
BET: 1 unit (1–5)
Bet Builder (WSB): Italy +7.5 (1st Half Handicap) & Ireland to win by 10+
Price: 32/10
The handicap has tightened significantly, moving from Italy +20.5 to +17.5, where it now appears to have settled. The general sentiment on last night’s The Handicap live betting show was to side with Italy on the plus, albeit without a great deal of confidence.
Click here to jump to the betting chat on this game
The points line has also dipped, coming down from 55.5 to 52.5. While there is some rain forecast later, conditions during the game should be reasonable. I am slightly leaning towards the overs, but without enough conviction to make it a standalone play at this point.
With nothing else jumping off the page, I am opting for a bet builder. The angle is Italy to stay competitive early before Ireland’s class tells over the full 80. That combination, Italy within 8 at the break, Ireland to win by 10+, comes out at 32/10.
If something stronger presents itself closer to kick-off, I will post an update in the rugby betting thread.
Finally, all this week's rugby tips from members of the Goodforthegame community can be found on the weekly rugby thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.
