"Perhaps a more telling stat is the last five meetings between the two teams. Ireland have all of them. The last time they played here they ran out 36-0 winners. The time before that it was 33-7. The time before that was 57-6. However, the Italians ran them close last season and were it not for a Dan Sheehan hat-trick, they might have lost."
"I just had a quick glance at the last five games for both teams and it's perhaps no surprise to learn that Italy are the form outfit of the two. Ireland have lost to France, South Africa and New Zealand with wins over Australia and Japan. Meanwhile, Italy have beaten Australia, Chile and Scotland. Their only two defeats have come against the all conquering Boks."
"For the first time ever, a Six Nations match will be officiated by a woman. It's taken a long time but we've finally got here and it's the remarkable Holly Davidson who will don the whistle and forge a new path for the sport. She sat down with Don McRae for a wide ranging chat about the game, her journey and what she's expecting this afternoon."
Ireland's starting XV average 30 caps while Italy's average 37 caps. A Six Nations match will be officiated by Holly Davidson, the first woman to do so in the tournament. Ireland have won the last five meetings, including 36-0, 33-7 and 57-6 results, though Italy were competitive last season and could have won without a Dan Sheehan hat-trick. Ireland's recent results include defeats to France, South Africa and New Zealand and wins over Australia and Japan. Italy beat Australia, Chile and Scotland, with only two losses to South Africa. Italy make one change: Ignacio Brex out, Leonardo Marin in; several star players remain absent.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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