
Ireland vs Italy Prediction and Betting Tips: Two bets for Sunday's Six Nations clash

Round one of the Six Nations was all about Ireland as they picked up the only bonus-point win in what should have been their toughest fixture, away to France.
Back at home they are long odds-on for another victory over Italy in a fixture they have dominated over recent years.
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The Azzurri had a poor World Cup and know this will be a tough contest, but they will have taken plenty of positives from last week’s narrow defeat to England, which was their first match under new coach Gonzalo Quesada.
The visit of Italy is only the second match into a new era for Ireland without inspirational captain Johnny Sexton so while coach Andy Farrell has made six changes to the team, he sticks with fly-half Jack Crowley in a strong line-up.
Ireland have lost just once to Italy in the Six Nations, in Rome in 2013, and it’s hard to see anything other than another home win which could turn out to be quite convincing.
Jack Crowley remains at fly-half for Ireland after impressing in the opening round as he stepped into Johnny Sexton’s boots. Craig Casey partners him at scrum-half while Stuart McCloskey comes into the backline.
Italy have made four changes to their line-up including a start for Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney. Ange Capuozzo missed out last week through illness but is set to start at full-back.
Lineups
Ireland:
- H Keenan; C Nash, R Henshaw, S McCloskey, J Lowe; J Crowley, C Casey; A Porter, D Sheehan, F Bealham, J McCarthy, J Ryan, R Baird, C Doris, J Conan.
- Replacements: R Kelleher, J Loughman, T O’Toole, I Henderson, J van der Flier, J Gibson-Park, H Byrne, J Larmour.
Italy:
- A Capuozzo; L Pani , J I Brex, T Menoncello, M Ioane; P Garbisi, S Varney; D Fisichetti, G Lucchesi, P Ceccarelli, N Cannone, F Ruzza, A Izekor, M Zuliani, M Lamaro
- Replacements: G Nicotera, M Spagnolo, G Zilocchi, A Zambonin, R Vintcent, M Page-Relo, T Allan, F Mori.
Ireland vs Italy Tips
Italy impressed as they forged a first-half lead against England in round one and ended up outsourcing them three tries to two, but this is a tougher test against a more settled side.
Ireland showed their defensive strength in last week’s win over France and the structured approach of head coach Andy Farrell makes them so tough to break down, while their return of five tries scored in Marseille underlines the strength of their attack too.
Most teams started the Six Nations with question marks over them following player retirements but Ireland answered most emphatically as fly-half Jack Crowley really looked the part as he stepped into Johnny Sexton’s sizeable boots.
Ireland have covered big handicaps in their last six home meetings with the Azzurri, winning by a margin of more than 30 points each time. Most impressively, the last time these teams met in Dublin Ireland ran out 57-6 winners, with the hosts scoring nine tries to Italy’s nil.
Sunday’s handicap is set at 34 points and it’s one Ireland should cover now they are up and running following last week’s memorable victory.
While it could be a one-sided contest in Dublin, Italy are not without hope of making an impression on the scoreboard, and winger Monty Ioane is the man in form. He scored the last of Italy’s three tries against England last week to take his tally to seven in his last seven matches.
He is joined in attack this week by Ange Capuozzo, who missed the England game through illness, and while the France-born full-back is a dangerous runner, Ioane has more physical presence that is likely to be needed to break the Irish lines.
Italy have found more of a cutting edge in recent seasons and, if the game opens up, Ioane looks the man to find a way through.
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