Ireland is set to host Italy in the Six Nations Championship on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This match follows a challenging opening round for the Irish team, who suffered a defeat against France in Paris. Italy, conversely, enters the fixture on a high after a victory against Scotland. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2:10 PM GMT.
Championship Landscape and Ireland's Position
The 2026 Six Nations Championship has commenced, with various teams undertaking their fixtures. Ireland's campaign began with a 36-14 loss to France. This result contrasts sharply with Italy's opening match, where they secured a 18-15 win against Scotland. Ireland is scheduled to play three home games and two away matches in the championship.
Match Details and Previous Encounters
The upcoming fixture between Ireland and Italy is part of the second round of the championship. Hollie Davidson from Scotland will officiate the match, with Matthew Carley and Luc Ramos serving as assistant referees. Ian Tempest is the Television Match Official (TMO).
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Historically, Ireland has a dominant record against Italy in the Six Nations, having won 25 out of 26 encounters. However, Ireland has experienced 13 consecutive defeats when playing in Dublin.
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 15, 2025 | Italy vs. Ireland | Stadio Olimpico | 17-22 | Six Nations |
| February 11, 2024 | Ireland vs. Italy | Aviva Stadium | 36-0 | Six Nations |
| August 5, 2023 | Ireland vs. Italy | Aviva Stadium | 33-17 | WC Warm-up |
| February 25, 2023 | Italy vs. Ireland | Stadio Olimpico | 20-34 | Six Nations |
| February 28, 2022 | Ireland vs. Italy | Aviva Stadium | 57-6 | Six Nations |
Broader Championship Schedule
The Six Nations Championship features a concentrated schedule in 2026, with the entire tournament concluding within five weeks. Following the Ireland vs. Italy match, Scotland will face England at Murrayfield in Edinburgh at 4:40 PM GMT. Other notable fixtures include Wales vs. France on Sunday, February 15.
Broadcast Information
Matches in the Six Nations are being broadcast across ITV and BBC. Generally, all England home games are on ITV, while Ireland and France home games are also broadcast by ITV. Scotland and Wales home games are typically shown on the BBC. All games can be streamed on ITVX.
Ireland's Team Adjustments
Following their opening defeat to France, Ireland's manager, Andy Farrell, has made six personnel changes to the squad. The specifics of these changes are not detailed in the provided reports, but they signal an intent to regroup and improve performance.
Expert Analysis
The current Six Nations Championship appears to be shaping up as a "two-horse race" in the estimations of some observers, though the exact participants in this assessment are not specified. Ireland's early-round performance, particularly the loss to France, has raised questions about their capacity to contend for the title. Conversely, Italy's initial success against Scotland has been highlighted as a significant boost for their campaign.
Conclusion and Future Implications
Ireland's upcoming match against Italy is critical for their Six Nations campaign. A victory is necessary to regain momentum after their opening loss. Italy, buoyed by their win over Scotland, will aim to build on this success. The fixture's outcome will have a bearing on the broader championship standings, particularly concerning the perceived "two-horse race." Further analysis of Ireland's squad changes and Italy's tactical approach will be pertinent as the tournament progresses.
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Used Sources & Context:
RTÉ Sport: Provides comprehensive match details, including commentary availability, referee appointments, and historical head-to-head statistics for the Ireland vs. Italy fixture. (Link: https://www.rte.ie/sport/six-nations/2026/0213/1558384-six-nations-ireland-v-italy-all-you-need-to-know/)
Six Nations Guide: Confirms Ireland's 2026 fixture list, including the home match against Italy and its date. (Link: https://six-nations-guide.co.uk/2026/ireland-fixtures.html)
Rugby World: Offers a detailed overview of the 2026 Six Nations fixtures, including dates, times, venues, and UK broadcasters for all matches. It also lists results from previous years. (Link: https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-six-nations/six-nations-2025-fixtures-next-years-championship-details-164185)
ESPN: Focuses on the Ireland vs. Italy match, highlighting their contrasting starts to the championship and providing team news for Italy. (Link: https://www.espn.com/rugby/story//id/47658041/ireland-italy-six-nations-rugby-tv-channel-kick-live-stream-latest-news)
Rugby World (TV Coverage): Details which games will be broadcast on BBC and ITV, providing a general guide to coverage. (Link: https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-six-nations/six-nations-tv-coverage-88020)
BBC: Information regarding radio commentary for specific matches, including Italy v Ireland, and general broadcast details for the Men's Six Nations. (Link: https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/articles/six-nations-2025-men-live-coverage)
Planet Rugby: Announces the 2026 Six Nations fixtures and highlights the restructured format, including specific dates and kick-off times for the early rounds. (Link: https://www.planetrugby.com/news/six-nations-2026-fixtures-announced-as-championship-kicks-off-with-thursday-night-clash-in-restructured-format)
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