'Wounded Ireland aim to end Six Nations on a high'

Men's Six Nations: Italy v Ireland

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday, 15 March Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen on Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds; text updates and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1

Over the past few years, Ireland have revelled in writing their own Six Nations stories.

In 2023, a final-day victory over England secured the Grand Slam on home soil. Twelve months ago, beating Scotland in their last game kept the title in Dublin.

Before both of those games, Ireland knew that victory would be enough to finish top, but the outlook this time around is comparatively bleak.

Even an emphatic bonus-point win over Italy on Saturday will only be enough to prolong their slim hopes of completing the hat-trick. Whether or not those hopes are realised depends on what happens in the two later games.

Losing control of the narrative is a difficult pill for a group who have spent the past two years looking down from the top, but last week's devastating loss to France has left them in the unenviable position of starting Super Saturday third in the table.

If they beat Italy, they must then let fate run its course when Wales host second-placed England and leaders France take on Scotland in Paris.

As with most Super Saturdays, there are permutations aplenty, but for Ireland the plan is quite straightforward: get the job done against Italy, park themselves in front of a TV and hope the Six Nations gods are feeling green.

Ireland had much bigger hopes for Saturday. The plan was for the Eternal City to provide an epic backdrop for another Grand Slam and the storybook ending for retiring centurions Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy.

The Triple Crown-sealing win over Wales in round three certainly had them on track, only for France to rock up to Dublin and rip Irish plans to shreds.

But even if the 30,000 or so Irish fans that will descend on Stadio Olimpico are approaching Super Saturday with a sense of anti-climax, captain Caelan Doris insists such a grim disposition has not infiltrated the squad.

"Obviously last week was very disappointing and it changes the nature of the end of it, but for us it's still about finishing with our best performance. The rest is out of our control," said Doris.

"But the three lads [O'Mahony, Murray and Healy], what they've contributed, the group we have, we really want to finish with our best performance yet and that's been a key theme through the week.

"Obviously there was quite a bit of disappointment for 24, 48 hours post-game and it can be tricky seeing some of the clips back and the images and the frustration around that.

"But we turned the page quite quickly and are getting excited about a special weekend over here with our best performance yet in front of 25,000 or 30,000 Irish travelling over, which will be incredibly special."

Jack's back at 10

Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley — Crowley (right) is restored to the XV for the first time since November after six straight starts for Prendergast (left) [Getty Images]

Given the nature of last week's defeat and the angry fallout from France captain Antoine Dupont's injury, Ireland did not need any fresh headlines this week.

But interim boss Simon Easterby has provided one anyway by reinstating Jack Crowley as his starting fly-half at the end of a week in which the player's future has been the subject of much speculation.

Crowley played every minute of last year's title triumph but was usurped by Sam Prendergast during the autumn Tests, and has featured predominantly at full-back in his appearances off the bench in recent weeks.

Prendergast started six games in a row, but having endured a difficult afternoon against a ferocious and rapid French unit, he starts on the bench while Crowley is given a timely opportunity to remind the Irish coaching staff - and British and Irish Lions boss Andy Farrell - of his credentials at this level.

Crowley - who made his Six Nations debut in Rome two years ago - will look to breathe new life into an Irish attack that struggled to turn 22 visits into points against France.

Also returning are first-choice wingers Mack Hansen and James Lowe, with Garry Ringrose restored to the midfield after missing the France defeat through suspension.

Jack Conan - outstanding off the bench in recent weeks - gets a rare start at blind-side flanker in what is perhaps a glimpse into the post-O'Mahony era.

In terms of facing Italy, Doris said Ireland are confident but not complacent.

Ireland have only lost once to the Azzurri in the Six Nations - in 2013 - and will be hopeful of unlocking an Italian defence that has shipped 25 tries in four games.

This is far from a foregone conclusion, though. Italy beat Wales here in round two and scored six tries across their defeats by France and England, suggesting they have more than enough firepower to trouble Ireland.

Italy boss Gonzalo Quesada made an eye-catching selection call of his own this week, too, dropping captain Michele Lamaro in one of seven changes.

Doris has called for Ireland's "best performance". If they deliver on that front, they should have enough to end their campaign on a high note.

Whether that is the extent of their Super Saturday satisfaction will, however, depend on how the drama unfolds in Cardiff and Paris.

Topics

'France a hard team to stop' - Ireland lick wounds as Grand Slam hopes end

Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby questions the awarding of France's second try while lamenting his side's wasteful display in Saturday's Six Nations defeat in Dublin.
BBC News - 6d
Ireland Grand Slam hopes ended by rampant France

France take control of the Six Nations title race as they score 34 unanswered points to beat Ireland in Dublin and end the home side's Grand Slam hopes.
BBC News - 6d
Dominant France win ends Ireland's Grand Slam hopes

Watch highlights as France beat Ireland 42-27 to end Irish Grand Slam hopes and go top of the Six Nations table.
BBC News - 6d
Ireland eye unlikely Six Nations title against uncertain Italy

Ireland have a glimmer of hope that they can retain their Six Nations crown on Saturday when they take on Italy in Rome, looking to bounce back from a painful defeat to title favourites France.But ...
Yahoo Sports - 16h
Ireland 27-42 France: Six Nations – as it happened

France turned on the power in the second half to score a dominant victory over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. As much as we’d love to keep expanding The Clincher universe, the teams are about to ...
The Guardian - 6d
Crowley replaces Prendergast as Ireland change six for Italy

Jack Crowley is recalled at fly-half for Ireland's final Six Nations match against Italy in Rome, as Sam Prendergast drops to the bench.
BBC News - 1d
France takes over Six Nations lead after crushing Ireland 42-27 in Dublin

France has replaced Ireland’s hand on the Six Nations rugby trophy after a momentous 42-27 win in Dublin
ABC News - 6d
Italy v Ireland, Six Nations 2025: What time is kick-off and what TV channel is it on?

The fifth and final game of Ireland’s 2025 Six Nations Championship campaign will be their third away match of the tournament and takes place in Rome.
Yahoo Sports - 5h
'Irresistible' try tops week four's best Six Nations moments

Watch as Louis Bielle-Biarrey's "irresistible" try for France against Ireland tops week four's best Six Nations moments.
BBC News - 4d

More from Yahoo Sports

Tonje spurs record-tying 3-point flurry as No. 18 Wisconsin beats UCLA 86-70 in Big Ten Tournament

John Tonje matched his career high with six 3-pointers on his way to 26 points, and No. 18 Wisconsin tied the Big Ten Tournament single-game record by making 19 3s in an 86-70 victory over ...
Yahoo Sports - 13m
How much will Americans bet on March Madness this year? Hint: It's more than the Super Bowl

More money will be wagered on the men's and women's basketball tournaments than any other American sporting event.
Yahoo Sports - 14m
Paul Hughes stumps for PFL amid turmoil, disappointed by 'trend to hate on them'

The negative experience with the PFL shared by many big names on the roster has been the complete opposite for one of the promotion's standout fighters. Lightweight contender Paul Hughes went to ...
Yahoo Sports - 15m
Le'Veon Bell's former high school removes his name from its field

Six years after he made news during free-agency week by signing a significant contract with the Jets, former NFL running back Le'Veon Bell is making news during free-agency week for different reasons.
Yahoo Sports - 16m
5 big-name free agents still available for Broncos

The Broncos might not be done making free agent additions just yet.
Yahoo Sports - 18m

More in Sports

Tonje spurs record-tying 3-point flurry as No. 18 Wisconsin beats UCLA 86-70 in Big Ten Tournament

John Tonje matched his career high with six 3-pointers on his way to 26 points, and No. 18 Wisconsin tied the Big Ten Tournament single-game record by making 19 3s in an 86-70 victory over ...
Yahoo Sports - 13m
How much will Americans bet on March Madness this year? Hint: It's more than the Super Bowl

More money will be wagered on the men's and women's basketball tournaments than any other American sporting event.
Yahoo Sports - 14m
Paul Hughes stumps for PFL amid turmoil, disappointed by 'trend to hate on them'

The negative experience with the PFL shared by many big names on the roster has been the complete opposite for one of the promotion's standout fighters. Lightweight contender Paul Hughes went to ...
Yahoo Sports - 15m
Le'Veon Bell's former high school removes his name from its field

Six years after he made news during free-agency week by signing a significant contract with the Jets, former NFL running back Le'Veon Bell is making news during free-agency week for different reasons.
Yahoo Sports - 16m
Former reality TV star wins longest-ever Iditarod

Jessie Holmes, a former reality television star on "Life Below Zero," is the winner of the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
ESPN - 16m