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Ireland Rugby Survives Aggressive Italy | Six Nations 2026 Recap

Ireland Rugby Survives Aggressive Italy | Six Nations 2026 Recap

Ireland hosted Italy in Round 2 of the Six Nations at Aviva Stadium. Here's what happened.

Feb 14, 2026 by Joe Harrington
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Ireland Rugby found itself in unfamiliar territory at halftime as they trailed Italy 10-5 at Dublin at the Aviva in the second round of the 2026 Six Nations. 

Italy played an aggressive match and Ireland missed kick after kick in the first half, but Jack Crowley entered the match, Stuart McCloskey and Jack Conan scored tries and Ireland avoided disastrous in a 20-13 thrilling win on Feb. 14. 

Still, this match came down to the final minutes as Italy was on the try line trying to force a draw against Ireland, who now has a 35-4 record against Italy. 

The Irish defense won the match for the No. 5-ranked team in the country. Italy threatened all second half but Ireland kept the Italians from scoring. 

Italy, who beat Scotland in Round 1, was riding momentum entering the match and Giacomo Nicotera scored a first half try for Italy, the No. 9-ranked team. 

Ireland will play at England next week, while the Italians will head to Paris. 

Checkout the replay below. 

Italy Can't Break Through, Ireland Hangs On To Win

Ireland 20, Italy 13 | FINAL

Irish defense keeps Italy at bay in the final five minutes as Italy was five meters out from being a conversion away from a draw, but Ireland forced a turnover and hung on for the win. 

Italy Rugby So Close To A Try, Ireland Holds Them

Ireland 20, Italy 13 | '78

Italy nearly scored a try on a kick ahead, but Ireland scooped the ball on the tryline first. Time is running out, but Italy is still pushing. 

Ireland Rugby Defense Playing Tough

Ireland 20, Italy 13 | '73

Italy is threatening but Ireland's defense keeps slowing them down as time is running out. 

The Big Man Edwin Edogbo Debuts For Ireland

The 23-year-old, 6-foot-5 Munster lock enters for his first Test rugby cap with 11 minutes to go. 

Italy Rugby Cuts Lead To 7

Ireland 20, Italy 13 | '65

Italy converts a penalty kick. It could be a fun final 15 minutes. 

Open A Guinness, Jack Crowley Is Kicking And Ireland Rugby In Control

Ireland 20, Italy 10 | '62

Jack Crowley is turning the tide as Ireland's kicking game is now on point. Crowley nails a penalty kick moments after a conversion and Ireland is in control with less than 20 minutes to go. 

IRELAND Rugby ANSWERS THE CALL, TAKE LEAD

Ireland 17, Italy 10 | '55

Ireland regains the lead after a fast paced 10 minutes.  Stuart McCloskey barrels in for the try. 

Jack Crowley, who just replaced Sam Prendergast, converts the kick. 

Back And Forth They Go

Ireland 10, Italy 10 | '55

Both teams are trading big possessions but failing to score.

Hollie Davidson Says NO TRY

Ireland 10, Italy 10 | '51

Lynagh's try is wiped off the board. Game still tied. 

Italy Answers Ireland! Italians Regain The Lead!

Ireland 10, Italy 15

Tommaso Menoncello pushes Italy with a breakaway and offload to Louis Lynagh as Italy answers.

The try is under review. 

Jack Conan Barrels Through. Ireland Ties It

Ireland 10, Italy 10

Sporting a black eye and all, Irish start Jack Conan scores Ireland's second try. Sam Prendergast misses the conversion. 

Tadhg Furlong To The Rescue?

Ireland is putting their stars in. 

Can Ireland Rugby Bounce Back? Or Will Italy Pull Of The Biggest Upset In Six Nations History?

In 40 minutes, rugby fans, we'll know the answer. Action about to start again At the Aviva Stadium. 

For The First Time Ever Italy Is Leading Ireland In Dublin At Halftime

Ireland 5, Italy 10

Ireland trails Italy at halftime, which has ever happened before. Italy chose to go for a try at the end of the half instead of kicking a penalty. It backfired as Italy turned it over less than 5 meters out. 

But the heavy favorite Ireland trails Italy!

Oh My. Italy Takes The Lead Just Before Halftime! | '32

Ireland 5, Italy 10

"The Italians! Game on!"

Italy takes the lead after a great lineout. For the first time ever, Italy is poised to lead Ireland at halftime in Ireland. 

Giacomo Nicotera scored the try, Paolo Garbisi converts. 

Italy Rugby Pushing Ireland | '28

Ireland 5, Italy 3

Italy trying to breakthrough with a man advantage as the first half approaches the final 10 minutes.

Italy Rugby Adds 3 On Penalty Kick | '20

Ireland 5, Italy 3

Paolo Garbisi converts the kick. 

Ireland Rugby Scores The First Try |'16

Ireland 5, Italy 0

Jamie Osborne gets the Irish on the board for the first try. Sam Prendergast misses the conversion. 

Italy Down A Player As Louis Lynagh  Given Yellow

Italy gets the first yellow card at the 10 minute mark.

Italy Rugby Stops Ireland's Attack

Italy got out of a sticky situation and is now moving the ball. 

Ireland Threatening Early 

Irish near the goal line in the 6th minute. 

Hollie Davidson Makes History As She Refs Ireland vs. Italy 

Happy Valentine's Day. Let's Watch Some Rugby: Ireland vs. Italy Underway In Dublin

The match has started!

Time To Sing The Anthems And Get Ireland vs. Italy Underway At The Aviva In Dublin

Players are taking the field and the Six Nations pageantry is about start. Kickoff at 9:10 a.m. ET.

Ireland vs. Italy Rugby Kickoff Time Almost Here

The match starts at 9:10 a.m. ET. Let's go!

The Last Five Ireland Rugby vs. Italy Matches

  • March 15, 2025: Ireland 22, Italy 17
  • February 11, 2024: Ireland 36, Italy 0
  • August 5, 2023: Ireland 33, Italy 17
  • February 25, 2023: Ireland 34, Italy 20
  • February 27, 2022: Ireland 57, Italy 6

Ireland Rugby Ready For Debut Of Edwin Edogbo

Ireland vs. Italy Rugby Lineups Today

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 2026 Standings

Here's a look at the table ahead of Round 2. 

Need A Six Nations 2026 Breakdown Of Round 1 And Round 2 Preview?

The FloRugby Round-Up podcast broke down the action last week and gave picks for this week.

Ireland Rugby Issues Ahead Of Italy Clash

Italy Rugby Finding Some Success In The Six Nations

The Italians have won two and drawn one of their last eight away encounters in the Men’s Six Nations, the same number of wins and draws as they had away from home across their previous 57 such games in the Championship since joining in 2000.

Irish Rugby Dominance In The Six Nations Over Italy 

Ireland has won 25 of its 26 matches against Italy in the Men’s Six Nations, including their last 12 in a row. The Irish  have won each of their 13 home games against Italy in the Men’s Six Nations, the only team they have a 100% winning rate against in Dublin in the tournament.

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.

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

Need More Rugby News? Watch The FloRugby Ruby Round Up Every Week

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?

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: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social