Ireland v Italy Prediction, Preview & Odds – RWC Warm-up Game
We have an Ireland v Italy prediction along with the betting odds for you ahead of their clash in Dublin Saturday evening.
Ireland v Italy Match Info
When? 7.00 pm, Saturday, August 5th
Where? Aviva Stadium, Dublin
TV Channel? RTÉ 2
Ireland v Italy Preview
Ireland’s Form
Ireland comes into this fixture (along with the World Cup next month) as the Number (1) ranked team in the World and in buoyant form following winning their third Grand Slam win ever in the 2023 Six Nations under their first under Andy Farrell back in March when they finished the job with a 29–16 victory over England in Dublin.
In a broader view of things, Ireland are inarguably in the midst of the most successful period in Irish Rugby history as they continue to tick off first times for the country, before their victory against New Zealand in 2016 in Soldiers Field they had new beaten The All Blacks. But in their last eight fixtures against New Zealand, they have won five of their matches including a tour down in New Zealand.
This may be a warm-up match before their World Cup but Ireland are under an awful lot of pressure to stay sharp and succeed at the competition in France. Ireland have achieved plenty of “firsts” in recent years but the one thing left for this Irish side to achieve is to get beyond a quarter-final and maybe even win a World Cup.
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Italy’s Form
World Number (14) Italy come into this fixture (along with the World Cup next month) with an entirely different expectation level than their opponents Ireland. Italy will be making their World Cup appearance in September but will be hoping to upset the odds and get beyond the Pool Stage for the first time.
Italy are often criticised for their performances on the International Stage particularly in the Six Nations but there has been signs of progress under Kieran Crowley who has been Head Coach since leaving Benetton Treviso in 2021. Under his tutelage, he has guided them to victories against two Tier 1 Nations, a 21-22 victory against Wales in the 2022 Six Nations and a 28-27 win over Australia during the November Series.
The signs are improving for Italy, and in the Six Nations this year, they drove France close at home, only losing 24-29 and coming within 17 points of their opposition in their remaining matches, showing they are in, at the very least competitive. Last Weekend they lost 25-13 to Scotland and will stand them in good stead for this game.
Ireland v Italy Lineups
Ireland’s XI
Ireland: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Caelan Doris, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Joe McCarthy, 4 Iain Henderson (c), 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 David Kilcoyne
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Calvin Nash
Italy’s XI
Italy: 15 Tommaso Allan, 14 Paolo Odogwu, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza (c), 4 Dino Lamb, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Paolo Buonfiglio, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Michele Lamaro, 21 Lorenzo Cannone, 22 Alessandro Fusco, 23 Lorenzo Pani
Key Players To Watch
Jack Crowley
In the absence of Johnny Sexton, Jack Crowley (23) has been handed a massive opportunity in this fixture to cement himself as the deputy Fly-Half in the forthcoming World Cup following see his stock rise substantially in the last 12 months due to his performances for Munster and he looks to have a bright future ahead of him with Ireland also
Was hugely impressed with Jack Crowley's composure and decision-making in Munster's final win.
Reckon a lot of that calmness comes from how well he forms a picture of the defence with his scanning before getting the ball.#STOvMUN #URC pic.twitter.com/WkdQbMPzSn
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) May 31, 2023
Tommaso Allan
The versatile Italian who scored a total of eight points from Italy’s thirteen last weekend started at fly-half but has been moved into the Full-Back position for this one. From his 71 tests for Italy has 423 points and in advance of the World Cup has said he is “quietly confident” the Azzurri can produce an upset against one of France or New Zealand. If they’re to produce an upset in this one a big performance will be needed.
Tommaso Allan! 🇮🇹
Italy strike again at Twickenham!#ENGvITA #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/ohivjo2VQr
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 13, 2021
Ireland v Italy Previous Results
2023: Ireland won 34-20 in Rome
2022: Ireland won 57-6 in Dublin
2021: Ireland won 48-10 in Rome
2020: Ireland won 50-17 in Dublin
2019: Ireland won 29-10 in Dublin
2019: Ireland won 26-16 in Rome
2018: Ireland won 54-7 in Chicago
2018: Ireland won 56-19 in Dublin
Ireland v Italy Betting Odds
The odds makers make Ireland huge favourites as we get closer to Saturday’s game! They can be currently gotten at 1/50.
Italy can be currently gotten at 9/1 while the draw is 100/1.
The handicap for the game is Ireland -23 at 10/11.
Ireland v Italy Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Ireland 33-12 Italy
Ireland should have far too much for Italy and will be looking to perform to get their World Cup warm-up campaign underway in style.
That being said Italy will have the benefit of their game last week, they’re ever-improving and have only gotten beaten 14 points by Ireland in the Six Nations. I still fancy a comfortable Ireland win though.
Best Bet: Keith Earls First Try-Scorer @ 7/1
Click Below For All Our Ireland v Italy Odds
*Prices subject to fluctuation
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