Ireland and Italy had contrasting starts to the Six Nations last week and will meet in Dublin in round two.

Ireland look to bounce back from heavy defeat in Paris against an Italian team boosted by victory over Scotland

Who is Hollie Davidson? Ireland vs Italy referee makes Six Nations history - The Scottish match official takes charge of the second round fixture

The opening weekend of the Six Nations wasn't necessarily a classic, but it produced some captivating rugby nonetheless. On Thursday in the week in Paris, France flexed their muscle with a dominant performance over Ireland.

Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong is back in full training with the Ireland squad and hopes to be part of the matchday side for their second round Six Nations fixture against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.10pm).

David Humphreys, Irish rugby's high performance director, says the humbling Six Nations defeat in Paris "has to be fuel" for the rest of the tournament.

Captain Michele Lamaro believes Italy have changed perceptions and are now taken more seriously by other teams in the Six Nations. While they have finished fifth in the past two years, Italy won twice in 2024 - only the third time they have racked up two wins in the competition.

Italy remain under-appreciated within the Six Nations and have the capacity to give an Irish team licking its wounds a serious examination this weekend, according to former Irish international Ronan O'Gara.

A SCOTLAND rugby star suffered an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction during Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome. The Azzurri were hosting Gregor Townsend’s Scots in their opening

Ireland and Italy have received major injury boosts ahead of their Six Nations meeting this weekend.

Perpignan have completed a deal to sign Saracens Italian international tighthead Marco Riccioni on a three-year deal when his