Ireland start their on-pitch preparations for the World Cup with Italy visiting Dublin.
Andy Farrell’s aspect will head to France among the many main contenders for the match after securing a Six Nations grand slam within the spring.
While the Ireland squad is extra settled than most, Farrell will nonetheless be attempting to nail down the ultimate few members of his 33-man travelling occasion, and this fixture provides a superb take a look at for a few of these urgent for inclusion.
A robust Italian aspect will arrive assured they will spring a shock after pushing their hosts shut earlier within the yr.
Here’s every little thing you should know.
When is Ireland vs Italy?
Ireland vs Italy is because of kick off at 8pm BST on Saturday 5 August on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
How can I watch it?
Viewers within the United Kingdom can watch the match stay on Amazon Prime Video, with protection from 7.50pm. The streaming service will present all the Summer Nations Series motion in August.
Team information
Jacob Stockdale will earn his first Ireland cap for greater than two years after being named within the again three by Andy Farrell. The wing begins reverse Keith Earls, who earns a 99th cap on the wing, whereas Jack Crowley will get the primary alternative to begin at fly-half with Johnny Sexton suspended. In Sexton’s absence, Iain Henderson captains the aspect, whereas Tom Stewart, Ciaran Frawley and Calvin Nash may all make debuts from the bench.
Kieran Crowley’s Italy are near full power, although common skipper Michele Lamaro solely makes the bench and Ange Capuozzo remains to be recovering from damage. Former England squad member Paolo Odogwu is about to win a primary cap on the wing, whereas Harlequins lock Dino Lamb is one other English-born inclusion making ready for a debut, partnering stand-in captain Federico Ruzza within the second row. As he usually does, Crowley has favoured a bench break up of six forwards and two backs.
Line-ups
Ireland XV: Dave Kilcoyne, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole; Iain Henderson (capt.), Joe McCarthy; Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan; Craig Casey, Jack Crowley; Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls; Jimmy O’Brien.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Cian Prendergast; Caolin Blade, Ciaran Frawley, Calvin Nash.
Italy XV: Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni; Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza (capt.); Sebastian Negri, Manuel Zuliani, Toa Halafihi; Stephen Varney, Paolo Garbisi; Monty Ioane, Tommaso Menoncello, Juan Ignacio Brex, Paolo Odogwu; Tommaso Allan.
Replacements: Luca Bigi, Paolo Buonfiglio, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Michele Lamaro, Lorenzo Cannone; Alessandro Fusco, Lorenzo Pani.
Odds
Ireland win 1/25
Draw 100/1
Italy win 19/1
Prediction
How a couple of warm-up shock to liven issues up additional forward of the World Cup? If this Italian aspect performs to full potential they could simply have an opportunity in Dublin… Ireland 24-25 Italy