The NYC Rugby Report: Ireland v Italy Preview

Round Two: The Aviva Redemption Arc Begins

Ireland’s 2026 Six Nations campaign opens with a pilgrimage to Paris—always a brutal assignment—and if Andy Farrell’s side is nursing wounds from the Stade de France, the fixture computer has offered them the perfect tonic. Round Two sees Italy roll into Dublin on Saturday, February 14th, and while the Azzurri have made strides under Gonzalo Quesada, history suggests this is where Ireland begins building momentum. The Irish have won 34 of 38 meetings since 1988, and Farrell will be expecting a statement performance at the Aviva to steady the ship before the trip to Twickenham.

But don’t sleep on Italy. They beat Australia in November. They pushed South Africa to the edge. And they’ve got nothing to lose in Dublin.

Ireland v Italy – Kick-off & Viewing Details

When: Saturday, February 14th, 2026 – 9:10 AM ET (2:10 PM GMT in Dublin)
Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin – The Lansdowne Road cathedral, where 51,700 voices turn “Ireland’s Call” into a weapon. The pitch is immaculate, the atmosphere electric, and the home record speaks for itself.

Where to Watch Guinness Six Nations in NYC: For those of us not in Dublin, The Winslow (243 E 14th St) is the only answer. This is the proper gin bar on 14th Street that transforms into an expat fortress every Six Nations weekend. Expect dedicated audio for the match, Guinness flowing like the Liffey, and a crowd that knows the difference between a jackal and a chop tackle. Get there early—by 8:45 AM—because this place fills fast when Ireland plays.

The Tape: Ireland – Reloading After Paris

Ireland named a 37-man squad with Caelan Doris retaining the captaincy and two uncapped players earning their shot: Munster lock Edwin Edogbo and Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak. The injury list is significant—Robbie Henshaw, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, and Andrew Porter are all unavailable—but Farrell still has depth to burn.

The Pack: Ireland’s forward platform remains world-class. Tadhg Furlong (82 caps) anchors the scrum at tighthead, and his battle at set-piece will be crucial. Dan Sheehan scored a hat-trick the last time these sides met in Rome (22-17, 2025), and he’ll be hunting more tries from close range. The second-row pairing of James Ryan (76 caps) and Tadhg Beirne (65 caps) offers lineout excellence and breakdown menace. At the back row, Doris leads a trio that could include Josh van der Flier (75 caps) and Jack Conan (55 caps)—a combination that dominates the gainline and the breakdown in equal measure.

Ireland’s maul is a weapon. Expect them to target Italy’s lineout defense early and often.

The Backs: Jack Crowley (30 caps) has cemented himself at 10, and his partnership with Jamison Gibson-Park (46 caps) at 9 is one of the Championship’s most dangerous. Gibson-Park’s box kick accuracy and tempo control will dictate how Ireland manage territory. In the centers, Bundee Aki (68 caps) brings physicality, while Garry Ringrose (69 caps) offers distribution and defensive reads. Out wide, James Lowe (43 caps) and Hugo Keenan (46 caps) provide finishing and counter-attacking threat.

Key Battles:

• Dan Sheehan v Italy’s lineout defense – Can he replicate his Rome heroics?
• Jamison Gibson-Park v Stephen Varney – The tempo war at the base of the ruck.
• Tadhg Furlong v Italy’s front row – Set-piece dominance = platform dominance.

Recent Form: Ireland opened in Paris on February 5th. Regardless of that result, they’ll be sharp, focused, and looking to impose their game early at home.

The Tape: Italy – Quesada’s Azzurri Evolving

Gonzalo Quesada has named a 33-man squad that retains the core group from their impressive November performances. Two potential debutants—Samuele Locatelli (Zebre Parma back-rower and 2024 Serie A Elite MVP) and center Damiano Mazza—have been called up, while Paolo Odogwu and Matt Gallagher return to the fold.

But Italy are without some heavy hitters: Ange Capuozzo, Tommaso Allan, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Sebastian Negri, Jacopo Trulla, and Ross Vintcent are all unavailable due to injury. That’s a lot of experience and X-factor missing.

The Pack: Captain Michele Lamaro (49 caps) leads the back row and will be vital at the breakdown. Lorenzo Cannone (33 caps) and Manuel Zuliani (38 caps) bring work rate and physicality. The front row features Simone Ferrari (69 caps) and Danilo Fischetti (58 caps), both of whom will need to hold firm against Ireland’s scrum pressure. In the engine room, Niccolò Cannone (58 caps) and Federico Ruzza (67 caps) provide lineout options, but they’ll be under siege from Ireland’s maul.

Italy’s set-piece has improved, but they’ll struggle to match Ireland’s power up front.

The Backs: Paolo Garbisi (49 caps) remains the conductor at fly-half, and his kicking game will be critical in managing field position. Martin Page-Relo (21 caps) and Stephen Varney (36 caps) compete for the 9 jersey. In the midfield, Juan Ignacio Brex (40 caps) and Tommaso Menoncello (34 caps) offer physicality and defensive organization, but they’ll need to slow Ireland’s phase play. Without Capuozzo at fullback, Italy lose their most dangerous counter-attacker—a significant blow.

Key Battles:

• Michele Lamaro v Caelan Doris – The back-row captains clash over the ball.
• Paolo Garbisi v Jack Crowley – Territorial kicking and game management.
• Tommaso Menoncello v Bundee Aki – Physicality in the 12 channel.

Recent Form: Italy beat Australia and Chile in November and pushed South Africa hard. But the injury list is brutal, and they’re walking into the Aviva against a wounded Irish side desperate to bounce back.

The Verdict: Ireland by 21

Ireland will win this match. The question is by how much.

Farrell’s side will be clinical at home, especially if they’re smarting from a tough outing in Paris. Expect Ireland to target Italy’s lineout early, establish dominance through their maul, and let Gibson-Park dictate tempo. The breakdown will be contested—Lamaro and Italy’s back row will make life difficult—but Ireland’s superior depth and fitness should tell in the final 20 minutes.

Two tactical keys:

1. Bench impact: Ireland’s finishers—likely including Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, and Sam Prendergast—will close this out. Italy’s depth can’t match that firepower.
2. Discipline: Italy will need to stay within striking distance through the first 60 minutes. If they give away penalties in their own half, Ireland will punish them with points and territory.

Final Score Prediction: Ireland 38, Italy 17

Full Time

This is the match where Ireland reasserts itself. The Aviva will be rocking, the forward pack will be relentless, and Farrell will demand precision after the Paris test. Italy will fight—they always do under Quesada—but the gap in class and depth will show.

For those of us in New York, this is a 9:10 AM kick-off, which means one thing: get to The Winslow early. Grab a seat, order a proper pint, and settle in for what should be an Irish statement performance. By the time the final whistle blows, you’ll be ready for the rest of the weekend—and Ireland will be back on track for another Championship push.

See you at The Winslow.