Ireland v Italy: Commanding win expected as Andy Farrell looks for impact from squad

At first glance, almost everything about this fixture appears designed to ensure something of an Irish comedown, if not the unthinkable. There is the high of last week’sIn making half a dozen changes to the starting XV from that stunning 38-17 win in Marseille, it transpires that once again contrary to a supposed clean bill of health,’s hand was forced by injury.

Caelan Doris shifts to openside and, in perhaps the selection with potentially the most significant long-term consequences, has also been handed the Irish captaincy for the first time, and thus becomes the 110th man to do so. “Yeah, 100 per cent. The leadership group and the rest of the squad continue to grow in that regard. Seeing them get behind Caelan this week so Caelan is comfortable just being himself has been a joy to watch really.

Yet this is hardly a team of greenhorns. There remains a strong spine and some of those promoted or called aboard must be straining at the leash, be it Ryan, Conan , Casey , or the others. Farrell’s selection is also a good way of both incentivising and managing the squad.This Irish side also remains more experienced than its Italian counterpart, which has 532 caps in its match-day squad.

The younger Garbisi finished one of two lovely first-half tries against England when Italy set up their attack sharply off opposition box kicks, and with the creativity of the underrated Juan Ignacio Brex and Capuozzo back they have the weapons to again hurt Ireland. “It’s genuine, it’s there, it’s obvious to see for us the levels that we need to get to, not just on the field but off the field as well.Quite how Ireland can rescale the heights of Marseille remains to be seen when such hot favourites . But such is their constant quest for improvement that Farrell maintains that “loads” can be sharpened, even the near perfect foundations of last week’s victory, the lineout and the breakdown.

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