Ireland face Italy in the Six Nations tournament on Sunday. Here’s everything you need to know about the game.

Where and when?

Sunday’s game will take place at the Aviva Stadium with kick off at 3:00 p.m.

What are the teams?

The 14 players who were released to play with their provinces return to the squad for Italy match week – Jack Carty, Dave Heffernan (Connacht), Ryan Baird, Cian Healy, Jordan Larmour (Leinster), Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Dave Kilcoyne (Munster) and Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Michael Lowry, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell (Ulster).

Leinster duo James Lowe and Jimmy O’Brien have also been added to the squad.

The final teams have yet to be named, but we’ll feature them on Independent.ie as soon as they’re confirmed.

The Irish team will face Italy: To confirm

Italy: To confirm

What to read and listen to on Independent.ie?

“Every year the game against Italy unfolds, particularly at home, and anticipation grows among Irish fans hoping to see big changes with a wink in the future.

In reality, however, that happens very rarely, especially when there is a Six Nations title to play for.”

We already have a lot of pre-game preparation for you to enjoy.

Cian Tracey says Andy Farrell needs to strike the right balance between depth and momentum for the Italy clash.

“Italy can pose an unobvious collective threat to Ireland’s ambitions to regain some semblance of control over their 2022 Six Nations title hopes this weekend.

But Andy Farrell and his team need not be alerted to a significant individual spark that could derail their overwhelming sense of optimism as they seek to rack up the points against the hapless Azzurri..”

And David Kelly thinks Ireland should be aware of the threat from Italian half-back Paolo Garbisi.

There will also be a new episode of The Left Wing podcast on Wednesday, so keep your ears peeled for that.

What is Ireland’s record against Italy?

Since the first New Year’s meeting in 1988, when Ireland beat Italy 31-15 in a friendly, Ireland have topped the fixtures with 29 wins to Italy’s four wins. The teams’ most recent meeting was at the 2021 Six Nations in Rome, which Ireland won 48-10.

Where can I watch the game?

The game will be broadcast live on Virgin Media One with coverage starting at 2 p.m.

What are the chances?

Ireland are firm favorites at 1/200 with both the draw and an Italy win at the cost of 100/1.

What are the head coaches saying?

Andy Farrell (Ireland):

“There are all sorts of things you have to put together. It’s game time, it’s opportunity, it’s trying to predict what our team will look like in two or three weeks, etc.

“There are all kinds of different permutations and it’s tricky during the fallow weeks because the playing time is quite important.

“Some guys haven’t played too much, some have been sent off (to their province), but there are others who haven’t played too much, do they need a game? What will it look like if they don’t? We have to assess many moving parts.

“I have never hidden the fact that we want to win all the titles where there is something to play for. That’s not changing and I still think we’re in the running for this competition.

Kieran Crowley (Italy – Speaking to Rugby World):

“Italy’s strengths in recent years have been their scrum and their strikers, and they don’t quite have that now, because of the change in personnel in those positions. We have to find what we’re good at by as a group, build it into our plan and build on it. We have to find out what those strengths are, because you have to be able to come back to something when the hard times come.

“It’s not a gloomy picture. Everyone knows the results of the Italian national team in recent years, but the U18s have had some great victories and the Six Nations U20s have always been competitive. They finished mid-table several times.

“There are some good young boys coming in, but we still lack depth in some key positions. In test rugby at the highest level, you have to have big men up front and we’re probably lacking a bit in that area. So we have to be innovative sometimes in the selections or the way we play it.

What are the other Six Nations matches this weekend?

Saturday February 26: Scotland – France, Murrayfield (KO 3:15 p.m., Virgin Media One)

Saturday February 26: England v Wales, Twickenham (KO 5:45 p.m., RTÉ2)