Our rugby expert has previewed Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations, with three predictions for the game.

Ireland host Italy at 3:30 pm on Saturday in the first of four re-arranged Six Nations Round 4 fixtures –
England and France currently top the Six Nations table with 13 points each.
Danny Till has three selections for Ireland vs Italy, including two anytime try scorer selections.
It’s seven months later than we thought, but the Six Nations returns on Saturday as Ireland welcome Italy to Dublin for the re-arranged round four fixture.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named four uncapped players in his matchday 23, with Will Connors and Hugo Keenan named in the starting XV, while Ed Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park could make their first international appearances from the bench.

Ireland v Italy

Date: Saturday 24th October 2020

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Kick-off: 3:30 pm

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)

TV Coverage: sony sports

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Ireland to post big win as they hunt Six Nations title
The hosts are still in the title race and know that two bonus-point wins from their final pair of fixtures could secure them a fifth Six Nations Championship – although they will need Italy to beat England for this to happen.

Nevertheless, the Irish will want to put themselves in the best position going into the final round by dispatching an Italian side which failed to score a single point in two of the first three rounds.

The past five meetings in Dublin have seen Ireland post an average winning margin of 33 points, with Italy getting within 20 points just once (the 2010 clash at Croke Park which finished 29-11).

I anticipate that this trend will continue and while Ireland may not be fully revved up in what is their first game since England overpowered them in February, they will have far too much power and precision for the visitors – a winning margin of 31-40 points is the best price of 7/2 and is my first selection.

Ireland 31-40
Ireland v Italy

Forwards can continue good scoring record against Italy
My final two bets for Saturday afternoon are both in the anytime try scorer market. We will start with lock Tadhg Beirne, who made a brilliant return from an eight month injury at the end of August scoring a try and winning man of the match as Munster hammered Connacht in the Pro14.

The 28-year-old may play in the engine room, but he is equally as effective in the back row and I think he will play a big role as a ball carrier at the weekend. He already has three international scores to his name in 13 appearances – including two scores against Italy.

In a game where I think Ireland will look to pretty direct early on, I fancy Beirne to make it three tries in three games against the Azzurri.

Another player who is no stranger to scoring against Italy is number eight CJ Stander. The 30-year-old was enjoying a fine Six Nations before the tournament was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was a focal point in the two Irish victories.

 

Team Line-ups