Italy vs Ireland Preview & Tips - Ireland to end Six Nations campaign with bonus point win over Italy

Ireland saw their Grand Slam hopes disappear as they were comfortably beaten 42-27 by France in Dublin. 

Ireland have won their last 10 matches against Italy including a 36-0 win when the pair last met in the Six Nations in 2024. 

Italy have really struggled to stay competitive consistently in their last two matches, with heavy defeats against France and England seeing the good work done against Wales in round two undone. 

Their 73-24 loss to France in round three was more down to France's shock 26-25 loss to England in the round before. Italy were the unlucky side the French needed to bounce back against, with the nation at their very best in all facets of the game. 

However, against England, Italy showed flashes of how far they have come. The frustrating part for Italy was that they were only 21-17 down at half-time. Despite being fully in the contest as the second-half kicked off, Italy were soundly beaten 26-7 in the second 40, with the Italians unable to keep up with their hosts. 

Italy can clearly give teams issues on the pitch, but everything needs to go their way if they are to beat the best. Their running game impresses at times, but they often take too many chances at foolish times. In the second-half, teams find it too easy to pull away from the Italians. While each match is a learning experience for a side that is growing, they will have to find a way to take that next step if they are to seriously compete with the best. 

Ireland have gone from being on course for the Grand Slam to sitting in third in the space of one very comfortable defeat. 

Their 42-27 loss to France was as much about the French flying out of the blocks in the second-half as it was the Irish struggling to really play their game. France won the second-half 34-21 in one of the best performances of the competition so far. By contrast, Ireland could not break free of the shackles as they lost their first game of the tournament. 

With 14 points from their four matches, Ireland are a point behind England and two points behind France. Victory against Italy would put pressure on England and France in the later games, but Ireland are counting on some huge wins for out-of-form Wales and Scotland to get them over the line. 

Ultimately, this game is more about Ireland getting back to winning ways at the first time of asking. With the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia to come in the summer, many of the men in green are playing for a place on the plane. I expect a much-improved performance from Ireland this weekend as they take their hosts to the cleaners.