Oh I wish it could be SixMas every day. Oh wait it is! Ireland vs Italy

Kick off, 3:30PM. Live TV on Virgin Media 1, ITV 1 and NBC Sports Network in the US of A. Live Radio on RTÉ 1 with Michael Corcoran.

Introduction Like propping against Tom McCourt one can not keep a bad thing down as the Six Nations 2020 finally returns in conspicuously unusual circumstances. But sure, in the amateur days games always had such circumstances so us auld fellas can feel more at home now. Unlike the amateur days we actually have a chance of winning the ruddy thing so lets take this semi seriously for one day.

A look at the table shows that the whole Six Nations is wide open, with four of six nations standing a chance of becoming champions. Of course that assumes that we win today so lets look at the teams....



Ireland: 15. Jacob Stockdale, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Hugo Keenan, 10. Jonathan Sexton (C), 9. Conor Murray; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Andrew Porter, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Will Connors, 8. CJ Stander

Replacements: 16. Dave Heffernan, 17. Ed Byrne, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Ultan Dillane, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Robbie Henshaw

Italy: 15. Jayden Hayward, 14. Edoardo Padovani, 13. Luca Morisi, 12. Carlo Canna, 11. Mattia Bellini, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Marcello Violi; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Luca Bigi (C), 3. Giosuè Zilocchi, 4. Marco Lazzaroni, 5. Niccolò Cannone, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Braam Steyn, 8. Jake Polledri

Replacements: 16. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17. Simone Ferrari, 18. Pietro Ceccarelli, 19. David Sisi, 20. Johan Meyer, 21. Maxime Mbanda, 22. Callum Braley, 23. Federico Mori



Being honest Italy have rather little paper hope today. The eventual demise of Parisse takes away their really big name from the team; however Zanni is also gone. His loss also takes away any obvious threat and balance from their back row but it also removes the team of their local hero on the field. Perhaps this is why coach Franco Smith has gone wholesale in a selection policy based on young players and new blood.

There may be some method in his madness; some commentators speculated over the years that an Italy without Parrisse and Zanni played a more open game of rugby than without. How much of it is madness and how much method is the big question; fly half Paula Garbisi has played a handful of Pro 14 games for Benneton while there are several uncapped players on the bench.

But lest you think that this Italian team will lack form be warned; most of their new look team have come through their excellent underage development programmes under Stephen Aboud (below). The ball will move out fast and quick and the Irish back 3 will need to choose their moments wisely otherwise the flankers will be giving them wedgies in the dressing room no matter what Dr. Holohan might advise against.




Not to be outdone, Ireland have rang in a couple of changes. Will Connors deserves his back row cap as does Hugo Keenan (below) who adds a bit of the Shane Byrne and Frankie Sheahan class hair to the field once more. Eyes to the full back line; Stockdale gets a start at 15 in a time when it is one position that Ireland has lacked credible go to picks over the last few seasons.




Verdict. Paddy Power has it +28 for the draw, and Italy a 100/1 for a win. I can see them being right here, with even an Irish implosion being too little to save the Azzuri. My guess is for a 48-12 win and, with an empty stadium we can leave the Mexican Wave to Kerbdog...