Ireland Rugby returns to Dublin and Aviva Stadium in Round 2 of the Six Nations looking to halt a rare slide, while Italy arrives with growing confidence and momentum. 

The stakes are sharply different from recent years, with Ireland trying to avoid only its second-ever 0-0-2 start in the championship and Italy riding consecutive victories into Dublin.

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Ireland opened the tournament with a 36–14 loss to France on Feb. 5, extending its losing streak to two matches overall. Historically, however, the Irish have dominated this fixture. Ireland owns a 34-4 all-time record against Italy, has won 12 straight meetings and is 25-1 against the Azzurri in Six Nations play. 

Ireland has never lost to Italy in Dublin, and Italy remains the only Six Nations team without a win there. The Irish have never trailed at halftime in Ireland against Italy. Still, last year’s five-point Irish victory was the closest margin between the teams since a 13–11 result in 2011, suggesting the gap has narrowed.

It's team of the week time! Here are players who stood out in round one of the Guinness Men's Six Nations 📷#GuinnessM6N https://t.co/CZ1hvzoWt1

— FloRugby (@FloRugby) February 9, 2026

Italy enters after an 18–15 home win over Scotland in Rome and has won back-to-back matches. The Cannone brothers, Niccolò and Lorenzo, led the opening round in tackles with 26 and 19, highlighting Italy’s defensive intensity. In fact, the top five tacklers in Round 1 were all Italian players. 

Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne, meanwhile, recorded a round-high three turnovers against France, the most by an Irish player in a Six Nations match since 2014. 

With momentum on one side and history on the other, Round 2 presents a compelling contrast.

"The danger in moments like this is overcorrection. Ireland do not need to tear down what has been built. They do need to accept that the next phase will not look like the last one." 🇮🇪✍️#GuinnessM6N #IrishRugbyhttps://t.co/Aqc21c0HZa

— FloRugby (@FloRugby) February 9, 2026

Ireland vs. Italy Kickoff Time, Lineups

Ireland hosts Italy at 9:10 a.m. ET on Feb. 14 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, in Round 2 of the Six Nations.

How To Watch Ireland vs. Italy

Ireland vs. Italy streams live in the United States on Peacock. Fans can follow FloRugby’s social channels for news, highlights and coverage throughout the Six Nations tournament.

Ireland Rugby Lineup vs. Italy At The Six Nations 2026

Starting XV

1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Cormac Izuchukwu
7. Caelan Doris
8. Jack Conan
9. Craig Casey
10. Sam Prendergast
11. James Lowe
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Robert Baloucoune
15. Jamie Osborne

Replacements

• 16. Ronan Kelleher
• 17. Tom O'Toole
• 18. Tadhg Furlong
• 19. Edwin Edogbo
• 20. Tadhg Beirne
• 21. Nick Timoney
• 22. Jamison Gibson-Park
• 23. Jack Crowley

Italy Rugby Lineup vs. Ireland At The Six Nations 2026

Starting XV

1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Giacomo Nicotera
3. Simone Ferrari
4. Niccolo Cannone
5. Andrea Zambonin
6. Michele Lamaro
7. Manuel Zuliani
8. Lorenzo Cannone
9. Alessandro Fusco
10. Paolo Garbisi
11. Monty Ioane
12. Leonardo Marin
13. Tommaso Menoncello
14. Louis Lynagh
15. Lorenzo Pani

Replacements

• 16. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
• 17. Mirco Spagnolo
• 18. Muhamed Hasa
• 19. Federico Ruzza
• 20. Riccardo Favretto
• 21. David Odiase
• 22. Alessandro Garbisi
• 23. Paolo Odogwu

Six Nations Round 2 Lineups & Predictions: Ireland And France Look To The Future

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Six Nations 2026 Fixtures

Round 1

• Feb. 5 – France vs. Ireland – 3:10 p.m. ET
• Feb. 7 – Italy vs. Scotland – 9:10 a.m. ET
• Feb. 7 – England vs. Wales – 11:40 a.m. ET

Round 2

• Feb. 14 – Ireland vs. Italy – 9:10 a.m. ET
• Feb. 14 – Scotland vs. England – 11:40 a.m. ET
• Feb. 15 – Wales vs. France – 10:10 a.m. ET

Round 3

• Feb. 21 – England vs. Ireland – 9:10 a.m. ET
• Feb. 21 – Wales vs. Scotland – 11:40 a.m. ET
• Feb. 22 – France vs. Italy – 10:10 a.m. ET

Round 4

• March 6 – Ireland vs. Wales – 3:10 p.m. ET
• March 7 – Scotland vs. France – 9:10 a.m. ET
• March 7 – Italy vs. England – 11:40 a.m. ET

Round 5

• March 14 – Ireland vs. Scotland – 10:10 a.m. ET
• March 14 – Wales vs. Italy – 12:40 p.m. ET
• March 14 – France vs. England – 4:10 p.m. ET

What Countries Compete In the Six Nations?

• England
• Wales
• Scotland
• Ireland
• France
• Italy

How To Watch The 2026 Rugby Europe Championship

The 2026 Rugby Europe Championship will be broadcast on FloRugby and the FloSports App in the United States.

Watch Ireland vs. South Africa From 2024

How To Watch Six Nations 2026

The 2026 Six Nations Championship will be broadcast on different networks all over the world. 

If you live in the USA, you can watch the games on Peacock.

• UK: BBC / ITV
• USA: Peacock
• Ireland: RTÉ / Virgin Media
• Wales (Welsh-language): S4C
• France: France Télévisions
• Italy: Sky Sport / NOW (all matches); TV8 (Italy matches free-to-air)
• South Africa: SuperSport
• Australia: Stan Sport
• New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• United Rugby Championship
• PREM Rugby
• Top 14
• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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