/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F37%2Fwelcome-to-sports-mole-transparent-click-area.png "Welcome to Sports Mole")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F20%2F31%2Fsports-mole-favicon-32x32.png "Sports Mole FAVICON"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F04%2F6n1.jpg "Six Nations header 1")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F18%2F47%2Fjohnny-sexton.jpg "Johnny Sexton in action for Ireland on November 17, 2018")
Build-up
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F06%2Fjoe-schmidt.jpg "Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt on February 2, 2019")
Peter O'Mahony confident Ireland will not suffer a repeat of 2013 Italy defeat
Ghosts of past Six Nations defeats still linger for Ireland's stand-in skipper.Feb 23, 14:15
The major talking points as Ireland take on Italy
Sean Cronin is set for his first Six Nations start.Feb 23, 14:12
Ireland boss Schmidt expects Cronin to grasp chance in Best's absence
The Leinster hooker will fill in against Italy on Sunday.Feb 22, 15:29
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F08%2Fjack-conan.jpg "Ireland's Jack Conan in action on February 9, 2019")
Ireland went back to basics to recapture edge - Conan
Joe Schmidt's side are aiming to reap the benefits of some fine-tuning in Rome.Feb 21, 12:21
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F08%2Fsergio-parisse.jpg "Italy's Sergio Parisse pictured in February 2019")
Sergio Parisse ruled out of Ireland clash with concussion
The Italy skipper will be forced to sit out the Guinness Six Nations encounter in Rome this weekend.Feb 19, 14:29
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F06%2Fgarry-ringrose.jpg "Ireland's Garry Ringrose in action against England in the Six Nations on February 2, 2019")
Ringrose ruled out of Ireland's trip to Italy due to hamstring problem
Chris Farrell is fit to return after an injury scare.Feb 19, 14:03
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F23%2Fgambling-online.png "Footer logo for GAMSTOP"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F06%2FGambleAware%20Secondary%20Main%20Grey.png "on February 3, 2024"){kind=small}