Ireland are overwhelming favourites in Dublin, but the handicap market offers a more interesting angle.
Ireland arrive in Dublin under pressure after their heavy defeat to France, and while a response is expected, the market may be overcorrecting. Italy come into this clash full of belief after beating Scotland and have shown clear progress over the past two seasons.
Ireland v Italy – Six Nations Round 2 betting preview
Ireland are strong favourites at home, but covering a big handicap is a different challenge, particularly with injuries and scrutiny around their ageing core. Italy don’t need to win this game for the bet to land — they simply need to stay competitive. With Ireland likely managing the match rather than chasing a statement, Italy + the points looks like a sensible value angle.
Value bet: Italy +17.5 @1.87
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Ireland (1–15)
15 Jamie Osborne; 14 Tommy O’Brien; 13 Garry Ringrose; 12 Stuart McCloskey; 11 Jacob Stockdale; 10 Sam Prendergast; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park;
1 Jeremy Loughman; 2 Dan Sheehan; 3 Thomas Clarkson; 4 Joe McCarthy; 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Cian Prendergast; 7 Josh van der Flier; 8 Caelan Doris (capt).
Bench: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Nick Timoney, 22 Craig Casey, 23 Jack Crowley.
Italy (1–15)
15 Ange Capuozzo; 14 Monty Ioane; 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (capt); 12 Tommaso Menoncello; 11 Lorenzo Pani; 10 Paolo Garbisi; 9 Stephen Varney;
1 Danilo Fischetti; 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi; 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolò Cannone; 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Sebastian Negri; 7 Michele Lamaro; 8 Lorenzo Cannone.
Bench: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Dino Lamb, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Leonardo Marin.
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