Italy vs Ireland Prediction: 60-plus points picked for Roman saga

Ireland will be looking to keep their dwindling Six Nations title hopes alive when they face Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for the final round of the 2025 championship on Saturday.

The Azzurri, meanwhile, are desperate to avoid the wooden spoon after recording just one win so far in this year’s tournament. Read on for my Italy vs Ireland prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

After three consecutive victories to start the tournament, Ireland's dreams of a third straight Six Nations crown were dealt a major blow with a 42-27 defeat to France last weekend.

They now sit third in the table, needing a big win and results elsewhere to go their way to have any chance of retaining the trophy.

Simon Easterby’s side enter this clash as heavy favourites, but know they need a bonus-point victory and a sizeable winning margin to apply pressure to their title rivals.

They've won their last 15 meetings with Italy, including a 36-0 dusting in Dublin during last year's tournament.

Italy will attempt to spring an upset in front of their home fans and finish their campaign on the right note.

The highlight of their campaign so far was the 22-15 victory over Wales in round two. However, they've struggled defensively in recent weeks, conceding 73 points to France and 47 to England in their last two outings.

Team News

For Italy, Paolo Garbisi retains his place at fly-half despite a difficult outing against England. Tommaso Menoncello shifs from centre to replace Matt Gallagher on the left wing and Ange Capuozzo switches to the right wing, making room for Tommaso Allan to slot in at full-back.

In the pack, captain Michele Lamaro drops to the bench, Manuel Zuliani starting in his place.

Lorenzo Cannone replaces Ross Vintcent at number eight and there are two changes in the front row, Gianmarco Lucchesi and Simone Ferrari coming in for Giacomo Nicotera and Marco Riccioni, while lock Dino Lamb replaces Niccolo Cannone.

Jack Crowley returns at fly-half for the Irish, who include fit-again wingers James Lowe and Mack Hansen out wide, while Garry Ringrose starts at outside centre after missing the France match through suspension.

James Ryan replaces Joe McCarthy in the second row and Jack Conan starts at blindside flanker.

Italy vs Ireland Odds

Ireland are overwhelming 1/20 favourites to get the win they need, with Italy priced at 17/2 to cause a huge upset and the draw available at 28/1.

The handicap is set at 21 points, reflecting Ireland's expected dominance in the clash.

Total match points between 61-70 @ 3/1

With Ireland needing to chase a bonus point and run up the score to keep their title hopes alive, we could be in for a high-scoring affair in Rome. The Irish attack will be looking to cut loose after a frustrating outing against the French last week.

Italy have struggled defensively in recent matches, conceding an average of 60 points across their last two games. However, they've also shown an ability to get on the scoreboard themselves, registering 24 points apiece in consecutive defeats to France and England.

The Azzurri will likely adopt an expansive gameplan in front of their home fans, which could lead to opportunities on both sides.

With Ireland pushing for tries and Italy looking to play with freedom, a total between 61-70 points looks an attractive proposition.

Ange Capuozzo anytime tryscorer @ 5/4

Capuozzo has been a bright spark for Italy since bursting onto the international scene with a pair of tries inside 35 minutes on his Six Nations debut.

The dynamic full-back or winger possesses electric pace and evasive footwork that can trouble even the best defences.

Capuozzo has crossed for two tries already in this year’s tournament, finishing off a beautifully-weighted Garbisi stab to the corner against Wales.

And the Azzurri’s two first-half tries at Twickenham came as a direct result of moments of individual brilliance from Capuozzo, who stepped and snaked his way through the England line almost at will.

He pounced on a kick through to score himself before breaking a tackle and producing a perfect offload for another.

Offers

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