Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell has said that his side’s bruising loss to France last Thursday will be “for nothing” if they fail to bounce back against a promising Italian side at the Aviva Stadium this weekend. Thursday’s loss was Ireland’s fourth defeat by double digits in the last year, and the loss has also seen Ireland drop to fifth in the world rankings, their lowest spot since March of 2022. Ireland have the whole of the week to prepare for their clash against the Italians in Dublin, but head coach Farrell has warned that
Italy are not the Italy of old. I think we all realise that. I think they're a good team.
Farrell also added that in relation to team selection for this weekend’s game, that after the loss to France, he would look at “the in-depth reality" of the game before making decisions.” Ireland objectively played better after second half substitutions, with the team scoring two tries in three minutes after the likes of James Ryan and Finlay Bealham came onto the field, cutting a 22 point French lead at halftime down to 15 points, before eventually losing by 22 to Fabien Galthie’s side.
Irelan’s game against Italy this Saturday at the Aviva kicks off at 14:10.
