Ireland Faces Italy with Grand Slam Hopes on the Line

ROME, Italy — Ireland‘s rugby team enters the final round of the Six Nations Championship with hopes of extending their title streak as they face Italy on Saturday, March 15, at the Stadio Olimpico. Kick-off is set for 14:15 GMT, and fans can tune in on Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds, and ITV1.

After securing a Grand Slam on home turf last year and finishing their campaign with glory in Dublin, this season’s road has been less favorable for the Irish squad. Following a disappointing defeat to France last week, the Irish team currently sits third in the standings, a stark contrast to their previous dominant positions.

“Obviously last week was very disappointing and it changes the nature of the end of it, but for us, it’s still about finishing with our best performance,” said Ireland captain Caelan Doris. “The rest is out of our control.”

An emphatic win over Italy is essential for Ireland to maintain a flicker of hope for repeating last year’s success, yet they will also need to rely on outcomes from other matches, particularly as Wales hosts England and France faces Scotland.

Despite recent challenges, Doris emphasizes a positive mindset: “We’re getting excited about a special weekend over here with our best performance yet in front of 25,000 or 30,000 Irish support, which will be incredibly special.”

Interim head coach Simon Easterby has made changes to the starting lineup, reinstating Jack Crowley as the starting fly-half, a decision made after Crowley spent much of the season off the bench. This marks a crucial opportunity for him to demonstrate his skills against Italy after Sam Prendergast’s difficult outing last week.

“It’s about getting back on track and showing what we can do,” Crowley said. He will partner with Jamison Gibson-Park, while first-choice wingers Mack Hansen and James Lowe return from injury to strengthen the backline.

Italy, under coach Gonzalo Quesada, has made seven changes to their squad, which includes dropping captain Michele Lamaro. Juan Ignacio Brex will serve as captain in his absence. Italy looks to regain momentum after managing just one victory so far this season.

“It’s a new challenge for us, but we’re ready,” said Brex. “We need to show our best game today, especially playing at home.”

Before their match, Ireland holds a strong track record against the Azzurri, having lost just once in the Six Nations since its inception. Ireland also has the advantage of familiarity with Rome, where they aim to leverage the support of traveling fans and local atmosphere to secure a crucial victory.

The stakes are high as Ireland not only seeks to finish their tournament on a high note but also to maintain hopes alive depending on the results of other matches. As the drama unfolds on what is a significant day in the rugby calendar, Irish fans will be watching closely.