Ireland will look to continue their perfect start to their World Cup campaign and secure a place in the quarter-finals with victory over the Azzurri on Sunday.
After cruising to bonus-point victories over Canada and Romania, Joe Schmidt’s side sit top of Pool D and a win against Italy at the Olympic Stadium will see them seal qualification for the knock out stages before confronting France on October 11. Italy, meanwhile, must win to stand any chance of progressing.
IRELAND
Schmidt has made 11 changes to the team that started against Romania. Robbie Henshaw returns to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury. He starts at inside centre while Keith Earls switches to centre and Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney start on the wings.
Simon Zebo retains his starting spot at full back after Rob Kearney was ruled out with injury, and Conor Murray and Jonny Sexton resume their ever-impressive half back partnership. Ian Madigan and Eoin Reddan drop to the bench.
Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony reclaim their spots in the backrow alongside Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson and captain Paul O’Connell start in the engine room, while Jack McGrath and Rory Best return to the front row. Cian Healy drops to the bench.
Ireland’s pack will be determined to dominate the breakdown and the set piece against a muscular and experienced set of Italian forwards, and with their first-choice back row the Azzurri will do well to retain possession and generate quick, clean ball.
One to watch: Iain Henderson
Henderson was Ireland’s standout player in the win over Canada and has cemented his starting spot (for the most important matches) in a fiercely competitive pack. In Ireland’s opening game he topped the tackle chart with 19, completed a series of surging runs and crossed over for a well-deserved try.
After being rested against Romania, the Ulsterman will be raring go and expect to see him confront the Azzurri with immense physicality at the breakdown, storm over the gainline with ball in hand and hammer Italian carriers backwards before they reach it.
ITALY
Jacques Brunel has made five changes to the side that edged past Canada at Elland Road and recalled star man Sergio Parisse to the starting XV.
The Azzurri captain makes the cut after passing two late fitness tests, but Leonardo Ghiraldini, who lead the side against Canada, misses out with injury so Andrea Manici starts at hooker.
Matias Aguero has been called up to the front row and Simone Favaro is set to start in the pack, while Michele Capagnaro starts in the midfield.
The Azzurri have not beaten Ireland since 2013, but will need to pick up a win to progress from the pool stages – for the first time in their history.
One to watch: Sergio Parisse
Normally picking Parisse would be too easy, but after he missed his country’s first two matches, all eyes will be on the talismanic Italian skipper, to see how he inspires his side and makes up for lost time. Ireland hooker Sean Cronin hit the nail on the head earlier this week when he said “You can see they (Italy) raise the game with him in the side.”
Parisse will lift Italian spirits and cause the Irish defence a few problems when he gets his hands on the ball. His unquestionable ability under the high ball will also prove invaluable to Italy when they are faced with the inevitable aerial assault.
PREDICTION
Ireland have been exuberant and clinical in their opening two matches, and while the Italians will certainly provide a tougher test, they struggled to live with the pace and precision of the Canadian backs last week, so it is difficult to see how they can keep out Sexton and company.
The Irish forwards have not taken a backwards step yet and they have the ability to overpower and outplay the opposing pack, which will enable Sexton to slot kicks and create chances for his potent backline.
Schmidt’s settled side have enjoyed a very strong start and are not about to stumble against a team they know how to beat. Ireland by 20.
By Nathan Hyde (@NathanHyde2)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images