Italy v Ireland, Six Nations 2021: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?
Ireland travel to Rome in search of a first victory in this year's Six Nations, having lost to Wales and France respectively in the opening two rounds.
Italy are in a similar boat, having suffered an opening-round loss to France and a subsequent defeat to England at Twickenham.
The loser this weekend will be facing an uphill struggle to finish anywhere but bottom of the final table, so expect a nervy encounter at the Stadio Olimpico - especially with Ireland travelling as such heavy favourites.
When is Italy v Ireland?
Saturday, February 27.
What time is kick-off?
The match will start at 2.15pm GMT.
What TV channel is it on - how can I watch live?
ITV will broadcast this fixture live. The Telegraph will also be bringing you live coverage throughout the game.
What is the team news?
Italy
Italy will prepare for the match in Rome with a 33-man squad, and head coach Franco Smith is expected to name a largely unchanged line-up on Thursday for the match, having placed in faith in youth throughout the tournament to date.
Ireland
Ireland's Caelan Doris is unlikely to return for the remainder of the Six Nations after coach Andy Farrell said the Leinster back-rower would be out for the "foreseeable future" because of concussion symptoms.
Doris, 22, had been named in the initial 37-man squad for the tournament but was withdrawn after reporting symptoms that could be associated with a head injury.
When asked if Ireland were expecting to continue without Doris, Farrell told reporters: "Yeah, we are for the foreseeable future.
"Caelan is getting well looked after, seeing the right people, getting the right advice, and making sure he's comfortable on his return to play."
Farrell also said he was confident regular captain Johnny Sexton and lock James Ryan would be fit for the game against Italy after the pair missed Sunday's defeat by France.
Reuters
What have we said about the teams?
Charles Richardson argue that the criticism of Italy is unjust and lazy. They are a team in transition, he writes, that has spent years trying not to lose Six Nations matches - now they are paying the price for trying to win them.
After Ireland's home defeat to France, Kate Rowan wrote how Andy Farrell's side missed the Conor Murray-Johnny Sexton half-back axis.
Before the tournament began, meanwhile, Mick Cleary investigated what Paul O'Connell would bring to the Irish coaching ticket.
Italy v Ireland latest odds
Italy: 17/1
Ireland: 1/16
Draw: 100/1
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What's our prediction?
Italy will fancy their chances, of that there is no doubt. At times in this campaign, the Azzurri have looked fluid, relaxed and organised, with the precocious fly-half Paolo Garbisi pulling the strings accurately from fly-half. Italy are always a tougher proposition in Rome, too, and an Irish side that is low on confidence will be terrified of losing in Rome, what would be their third-straight loss in the tournament.
But Italy are still a work-in progress, with many defensive question marks. Ireland will have too much in the pack - with the outstanding Tadhg Beirne likely to be influential - and once Farrell's side get on the front foot they can be difficult to stop. James Lowe's disallowed try against France was proof enough of that.
Italy 20 Ireland 24
