Rugby
Italy vs Ireland Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Venue: Stadio Olimpico Kickoff Time: 14:15 (UK Time) For the Irish, their hopes of a Grand Slam were dealt a fatal blow in round four at the hands of the French. However, they are still in contention to win an unprecedented third consecutive title and see their names etched into history. We have you covered for all of your rugby betting needs, so let’s get straight into this. Italy is currently fifth on the table, with three losses this campaign. They will be keen to avoid the wooden spoon and rather see it travel to Wales.
Ireland v France - Guinness Six Nations 2025//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Online betting sites have Ireland as heavy favourites ahead of this clash.
Home: 15/2 (8.5) – 11.8%
Draw: 46/1 (47.0) – 2%
Away: 1/16 (1.06) – 86.2%
Head-To-Head Record
Last three meetings
11/02/2024: Ireland 36–0 Italy
05/08/2023: Ireland 33-17 Italy
25/02/2023: Italy 20–34 Ireland
Italy Current Form – LLWLL
Given the fact that the Italians have won just one of their last three, they can finish no higher than their currently held fifth place. They are one point better off than Wales – and will certainly be looking to avoid having the misfortune of another wooden spoon.
Against England, Italy was only down by four points before going on to lose the game 47-24. They were then duly dispatched by France as well with the only points earned this season coming by way of a home win against Wales in the second round. There is no doubt that the home side will take the game to the Irish – it is just a question of whether or not they can earn any points.
Key Players to Watch
- Ange Capuozzo: A dynamic fullback who has been instrumental in Italy’s attacking ability, he has had a direct hand in pretty much all of their games throughout this Six Nations. His playmaking ability has endeared him to fans and they will all be hoping he is able to perform at his best one last time.
- Michele Lamaro: Captain of this Italian side, the openside flanker has brought more than just leadership to this side. His defensive strength and ability to register the number of tackles he does is often underestimated for the Italians.
- Tommaso Menoncello: He has been highly effective in the midfield for Italy. Bringing both defensive stability and resilience to the team, his ability to defend with a robust approach and then effortlessly turn opposition players around makes his inclusion mandatory.
Italy Team News
Italy have no new injury concerns to contend with ahead of their final clash.
Ireland Current Form – LWWWW
After Ireland were unable to get past the French last time out, they find themselves in third place on the table with 14 log points. While they will be hoping for another Six Nations win, the Irish will know that the stars truly have to align on St. Patrick’s weekend for this to occur.
England currently lead them by one point and France by two, but given the fact that they play Wales and Scotland respectively – it is unlikely the Irish claim victory.
Ireland are intriguing though, they were made to work incredibly hard against Wales which suggests their vulnerability – but I’m not sure its enough to get us excited about any added potential against Ireland.
Key Players to Watch
- Dan Sheehan: He is a hooker who has made an incredible impact in this Irish side since his debut. He is a consistent player for the Irish at set pieces and has often been seen to provide them with a solid platform to launch their attacking sequences.
- Jamison Gibson-Park: Gibson-Park has become a scrum-half that is often associated with rotating the ball quickly and ensuring the service through the phases are seamless and progressive. His defensive work rate has also been crucial and another aspect of Ireland’s more recent success.
- Jack Crowley: Crowley has quickly begun to attract interest from Leicester Tigers, but his performance for both Munster and Ireland have received many plaudits. He is a strong player and totally capable of playing anywhere across the outside back channels. Keep an eye on him here.
Ireland Team News
Tadhg Furlong, Mack Hansen and Gary Ringrose are all set to return for the Irish and James Lowe might also be a late addition. He is being monitored, but has shown improvement since Saturday already according to sources close to the Irish camp.
Suggested Bets
Our suggested bets for those who wants to bet on rugby are listed below.
Ireland by 11-20 Points: Ireland has an incredibly strong team, and their performances in this year’s Six Nations Tournament suggest that they will outclass their hosts here. Get on . 9/10 (1.9) with BetWinner
Totals Over 56.5: Ireland will bring a degree of class to their attacking ability, but Italy will not roll over. They will certainly have a crack at the Irish themselves and we think it will only add to the points seen in the encounter. 5/10 (1.5) with Stake
Italy + 26.5 Handicap: We favour Ireland to clinch this contest, but given Italy’s resolve we think they stay within this handicap. 9/20 (1.45) with Betway
Value Bets
First Try Scorer (James Lowe): He has been in excellent form for this Irish side and placing a wager on him to cross the try line first could yield some decent value. 1/1 (2.0) with Pinnacle.
Anytime Try Scorer – Josh van der Flier: He has a knack for finding the try line and given Italy’s inconsistent defensive ability, we are backing him to find another one. 19/10 (2.9) with 1xBet
Italy Over 12.5 Points: Italy’s attacking strength suggests that backing them to score over 12.5 points could be a smart bet for the weekend. 13/10 (2.3) with BetWinner.
Prediction: Ireland + Over 56.5 Points
There is no use backing Ireland to win given the odds available on them. There is no doubt in our minds that Ireland wins the game – their squad depth and ability is without question, and they will likely just have too much for Italy.
For fans looking to enjoy taking a bet – combine these two angles for maximum value with online rugby betting sites.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.
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