Ireland Rugby returns to Aviva Stadium at 9:10 a.m. ET on Saturday seeking to halt a rare slide when it hosts Italy in Round 2 of the Six Nations. The Irish are trying to avoid only their second 0-0-2 start in championship history after a 36-14 loss to France on Feb. 5.
History favors Ireland, which owns a 34-4 record in the series, has won 12 straight meetings and has never lost to Italy in Dublin. Still, last year’s five-point Irish win was the closest margin between the teams since 2011.
Italy arrives with momentum after an 18-15 victory over Scotland, powered by the tackle-heavy Cannone brothers.
Follow the active live below with the latest updates, scores and breaking news from Dublin.
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 7Ireland 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 ControlIreland 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 LEADIreland 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 GoIreland 10, Italy 10 | ’55
Both teams are trading big possessions but failing to score.
Hollie Davidson Says NO TRYIreland 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 ItIreland 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.
Can Italy take the win in Dublin?#GuinnessM6N #Since1883
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 14, 2026For The First Time Ever Italy Is Leading Ireland In Dublin At HalftimeIreland 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!
Scrum x Carnage! From the referee’s eyes, Hollie Davidson!#GuinnessM6N #Since1883 pic.twitter.com/Yrb0tQI2Vd
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 14, 2026Oh My. Italy Takes The Lead Just Before Halftime! | ’32Ireland 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 | ’28Ireland 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 | ’20Ireland 5, Italy 3
Paolo Garbisi converts the kick.
Ireland Rugby Scores The First Try |’16Ireland 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
Hollie “The History Maker” Davidson 😎#GuinnessM6N #Since1883 pic.twitter.com/BABN1Gf5q2
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 14, 2026
Inspirational, History Maker, Trailblazer 😎
Hollie Davidson will become the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations game when Ireland take on Italy in today’s opening match 💪#GuinnessM6N #Since1883 pic.twitter.com/S8heR2aFFJ
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 14, 2026Happy 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!
On site. pic.twitter.com/h5uBdCAu7n
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 14, 2026The Last Five Ireland Rugby vs. Italy MatchesMarch 15, 2025: Ireland 22, Italy 17February 11, 2024: Ireland 36, Italy 0August 5, 2023: Ireland 33, Italy 17February 25, 2023: Ireland 34, Italy 20February 27, 2022: Ireland 57, Italy 6Ireland Rugby Ready For Debut Of Edwin Edogbo
EE. pic.twitter.com/m8XtdhOMwo
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 14, 2026Ireland vs. Italy Rugby Lineups Today
The teams are in! Who takes the opening match of round two in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations?🤔
☘️ or 🇮🇹#GuinnessM6N #IREvITA pic.twitter.com/xCKi0qSouy
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) February 12, 2026Ireland Rugby Lineup vs. Italy At The Six Nations 2026Starting XVJeremy LoughmanDan SheehanThomas ClarksonJoe McCarthyJames RyanCormac IzuchukwuCaelan DorisJack ConanCraig CaseySam PrendergastJames LoweStuart McCloskeyGarry RingroseRobert BaloucouneJamie OsborneReplacements16. Ronan Kelleher17. Tom O’Toole18. Tadhg Furlong19. Edwin Edogbo20. Tadhg Beirne21. Nick Timoney22. Jamison Gibson-Park23. Jack CrowleyItaly Rugby Lineup vs. Ireland At The Six Nations 2026Starting XVDanilo FischettiGiacomo NicoteraSimone FerrariNiccolo CannoneAndrea ZamboninMichele LamaroManuel ZulianiLorenzo CannoneAlessandro FuscoPaolo GarbisiMonty IoaneLeonardo MarinTommaso MenoncelloLouis LynaghLorenzo PaniReplacements16. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo17. Mirco Spagnolo18. Muhamed Hasa19. Federico Ruzza20. Riccardo Favretto21. David Odiase22. Alessandro Garbisi23. Paolo OdogwuSix Nations 2026 Standings
Here’s a look at the table ahead of Round 2.
Here is how the table looks going into Round 2! 🤝
Who will finish top after this weekend?#GuinnessM6N #Since1883 pic.twitter.com/pkLLK9344V
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 14, 2026Need 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.
Did @FranceRugby just show us the next wave of rugby tactics? Ireland are not done but change is needed and much more in this week’s edition of the Rugby Round Up 🏉
Check out the episode ⬇️#GuinnessM6N https://t.co/UIdSw5dF9D
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) February 11, 2026Ireland Rugby Issues Ahead Of Italy Clash
Dan Biggar puts Irish Rugby’s ‘issues’ into perspective in the latest episode of The Rugby Pod 🏉#GuinnessM6N #irishrugby pic.twitter.com/cVOMK4FSA8
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) February 11, 2026Italy 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. ETFeb. 7 – Italy vs. Scotland – 9:10 a.m. ETFeb. 7 – England vs. Wales – 11:40 a.m. ET
Round 2
Feb. 14 – Ireland vs. Italy – 9:10 a.m. ETFeb. 14 – Scotland vs. England – 11:40 a.m. ETFeb. 15 – Wales vs. France – 10:10 a.m. ET
Round 3
Feb. 21 – England vs. Ireland – 9:10 a.m. ETFeb. 21 – Wales vs. Scotland – 11:40 a.m. ETFeb. 22 – France vs. Italy – 10:10 a.m. ET
Round 4
March 6 – Ireland vs. Wales – 3:10 p.m. ETMarch 7 – Scotland vs. France – 9:10 a.m. ETMarch 7 – Italy vs. England – 11:40 a.m. ET
Round 5
March 14 – Ireland vs. Scotland – 10:10 a.m. ETMarch 14 – Wales vs. Italy – 12:40 p.m. ETMarch 14 – France vs. England – 4:10 p.m. ETWhat Countries Compete In the Six Nations?How To Watch The 2026 Rugby Europe Championship
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 / ITVUSA: PeacockIreland: RTÉ / Virgin MediaWales (Welsh-language): S4CFrance: France TélévisionsItaly: Sky Sport / NOW (all matches); TV8 (Italy matches free-to-air)South Africa: SuperSportAustralia: Stan SportNew Zealand: Sky Sport NZHow 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.
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