Italy v Ireland: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

For the second straight year, Ireland look set to finish the Six Nations with four wins from their five games.

A closing victory against Italy, who they have beaten in 24 of their 25 Six Nations meetings, is 1/25 and they need to triumph with a bonus point and for both England and France to lose to win an unprecedented third straight Championship.

Strange things happen in sports, but a Red Rose and Les Bleus losing double would be among the most bizarre and they face an Azzurri side battling to avoid the Wooden Spoon due to Wales' resurgence.

Gonzalo Quesada has made seven changes from the team that lost 47-24 to England last Sunday. Ireland, of course, were dismantled 42-27 by France, ending their Grand Slam hopes and tinging their campaign with disappointment.

Interim boss Simon Easterby has recalled Garry Ringrose and included Jack Crowley, and with Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray set for their final international games, Super Saturday's opening match could have an end-of-term feel, with points likely to be on the agenda.

Italy v Ireland free betting tips and predictions

Total points - 54-74 points - 1/1

This could be a thriller, with both sides happy to throw caution to the wind on the final weekend.

However, with Ireland such clear favourites in the match betting and Italy only 10/11 with a +20.5 points start, it might pay to look at the points totals and a range between 54 and 74 appeals.

The last four meetings in Rome have totalled 73, 42, 58 and 54, so history suggests that it is a viable total, as does Ireland averaging 6.5 tries per game in their 11 victories since losing 22-15 to the Azzurri in 2013, triumphing by an average margin of 34 points.

Ireland's defeat to France featured 69 points, while Italy's reverse to the Red Rose had 71.

The excitement could continue on Saturday and a points total between 54 and 74 looks realistic.

Caelan Doris to score a try - 13/10

Italy's 166 points against is the worst in the competition and they have been particularly vulnerable to conceding tries to back-rowers.

Both France's number eight Gregory Alldritt and England's eighth man Tom Willis went over in their last two matches. 

Meanwhile, Scotland's Rory Darge scored in their tournament opener, Wales' Aaron Wainwright crossed off the bench in round two and France flanker Paul Boudehent also contributed points in his country's record win in Rome, as did England's Tom Curry and Ben Earl last Sunday.

With 4/11 hooker Dan Sheehan almost too short to back to add to his two tries in this Six Nations, skipper Caelan Doris deserves interest.

Doris came into the tournament looking like the British and Irish Lions' captain in waiting, but has struggled for form and needs a big performance.

The 26-year-old scored a brace against Italy in August 2023 and is 13/10 to get himself over the line. 

Jack Conan to score a try - 13/10

By the same token, Jack Conan could also be a try scorer.

Conan prefers playing number eight, starting all three Tests in that role for the 2021 Lions, but will pack down at blindside flanker in Rome.

The 32-year-old has only started one game in the tournament, but it was a tryscoring effort in Wales, while he also crossed as a replacement against Scotland and France.

Another Leinsterman, he looks well suited to coming off the bench with half an hour to go and emptying the tank as a impact player, but with O'Mahony selected as Ireland's sole back-row cover, Conan is likely to play the first 50 and will leave nothing out there.

A gifted runner but also powerful enough to take defenders with him over the line from short range, Conan looks set for a a second Lions tour this summer and can impress again in Rome.

Italy v Ireland odds

Italy - 12/1
Tie - 50/1
Ireland - 1/25

View the full market and more odds for Italy v Ireland on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.