37 - 23

39 - 19

52 - 17

28 - 24

22 - 30

30 - 3

41 - 9

12 - 45

29 - 37

11 - 29

Tomorrow

08:40

Tomorrow

10:00

Tomorrow

11:10

Tomorrow

15:05

Ireland name team for Italy - 6 changes

By Online Editors

08 Feb 2018

Jacob Stockdale, Dan Leavy and Robbie Henshaw during the 2018 Six Nations match between France and Ireland. Photo / Getty Images

Joe Schmidt hasn’t been afraid to change a winning formula by making several alterations to his team for the Natwest 6 Nations match with Italy.

There are no changes to the backline but Jordan Larmour is selected on the bench.

Here's the Ireland team to play Italy in Round 2 of the #NatWest6Nations at @AVIVAStadium #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder #IREvITA pic.twitter.com/ndlNatXapM
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 8, 2018

Rory Best leads the side on the occasion of his 108th cap and is joined in the front row by Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong.

Iain Henderson and Devin Toner line-out in the second row with Peter O’Mahony at blindside, Dan Leavy on the openside and Jack Conan at No.8.

Conor Murray, who won his 60th cap last week, again partners Johnny Sexton, who will win his 70th on Saturday, while Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are paired in the centres.

Rob Kearney, winning his 80th cap, is at fullback with Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale on the wings.

15. Rob Kearney
14. Keith Earls
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Iain Henderson
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Andrew Porter
19. Quinn Roux
20. CJ Stander
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Jordan Larmour

Congratulations Jordan Larmour – Named in the replacements for #IREvITA in @AVIVAStadium on Saturday in the #NatWest6Nations #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/3nnIJTUrW5
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 8, 2018

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JR 8 minutes ago

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So Jac Morgan is the only player to receive a positive rating, the rest all graded negative scores out of 10. About sums it up perfectly!

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Tk 10 minutes ago

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Apart from scrum a pretty poor performance I thought. Again more aimless kicking away possession from BB. We badly need new 10, 12 & 13.

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JW 11 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Still looking confused you mean.

86 Go to comments

JW 13 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Head coach? I think your confusing the attacking coaches statements.

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JW 15 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

From back when he was a defence coach.

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SadersMan 15 minutes ago

'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Razor picked an ABs team to play the Italy team that beat both Scotland & Wales, drew with France, & were pipped by England, in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year. Because that's the way they brought it to us. Well done Azzuri, well done All Blacks.

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JW 16 minutes ago

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Still haven't looked at those replays have you Nick.

86 Go to comments

JW 17 minutes ago

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That was your slight actually Nick. Might want to look in the mirror!

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JW 17 minutes ago

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Yes a very long bow for the other side to say that a player like Beauden Barrett turned those games around. A great player but not one to consciously 'turn' things around.

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SadersMan 23 minutes ago

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There was no 9.5 player out there, on either side. Jordan probably a 7.5/8. BB maybe a 7.5 but definitely didn't stand out to deserve even an 8 let alone 9.5.

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SadersMan 30 minutes ago

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"Survive"? "Scare?" A bit dramatic. ABs always going to win, just a matter of by how much.

The Azurri were up for it though. As expected. You can bet they were planning for this specific test for months. Let's not forget they were pipped by ENG, drew with FRA, & beat both SCO & WAL in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year.

A mess of a match, a good win, considering.

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SadersMan 45 minutes ago

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After you. And yes, that's exactly what Penney should do. Stat!! Unfortunately he has one year left on his contract.

Penney's Super Rugby win record was a low 23% before we signed him on. At the top was Razor at 84%. And true to form, Penney took us from a 7-peat to not even making the play-offs in ONE season. No excuses. LOSER. Thank God his contract is up next year. And hopefully Rangi might wanna throw his hat in for the job.

In the meantime, hopefully we can crack the top 6 this year in spite of Penney!??!

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JW 50 minutes ago

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"exceptional as usual" haha I'll take that to mean he kicked how he 'usually' kicked?

Why was Dmac rated a 6, did he not actually do any better or did he come on at fb or something?

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Kia koe 54 minutes ago

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Italians defended well. Luckily the scrums went well for the ABs.

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JW 1 hour ago

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You were 'valuing' the players by you saying "they are not greats" though, I was pointing out another reason why they are greats, inside the team I mean (which is more important to selections on the pitch stuff).

Someone like TJ would be bitterly disappointed he didn't play on this end of year tour. He is still good enough to come on in that France game and ensure the team get the victory (with regards to how well Ratima had been playing). At the very least this is a 'sorry you didn't get that chance' offering, he's not here to get token farewell games, he will be playing to try and prove that he should have been on the pitch last week.

The other decision to play your best over the future is really personal though so can agree with your reasoning. Just sharing a slightly different perspective. I'll have to check the ratings and see how they went.

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Jen 1 hour ago

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Crikey that game was a mess.

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JW 1 hour ago

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Yep even if you're improving on already very good international players every little bit helps if you're at the top of this log jam of 'top 3' sides, if they are elite.

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Cantab 1 hour ago

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