After a week-long break, the Ireland U20s are back, travelling to Treviso for the third round of their U20s Six Nations. Ireland who sit second in the table, just one point behind England will be eager to secure a bonus point win, with England still having to take on France and Ireland. We have all the information on how to watch Ireland U20s v Italy as well as team news and what to expect from both sides.
When is Ireland U20s v Italy?
Ireland U20s take on Italy in the Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso this Friday the 24th of February at 19:15 Irish time.
How to watch Ireland U20s v Italy?
The game is being broadcast live from Italy on RTE 2, with coverage beginning at 7 pm ahead of the 7:15 kickoff.
Form Guide
Ireland are last year's Grand Slam champions, they've beat Wales and France already this season while Italy are two losses on the bounce. There's no doubt about it Ireland are heavy favourites going into this match, but so were France and so were England, yet Italy got pipped by a point against France and only fell by seven in England. There's a real edge to this young Italy team and every time you watch them it feels like a major upset is just around the corner.
Ireland have taken two wins from two so far, with a comprehensive bonus point win coming against Wales on a scoreline of 44-27, while they saw off France by two points in a tense encounter that finished 33-31 following a breathtaking winning penalty from Sam Prendergast. The two games see Ireland extend their Musgrave Park unbeaten record and go second on the table with just a bonus point separating themselves and the England side they'll meet on the final weekend.
In saying all that Ireland will have plenty to work on from the French game should they plan on taking the bonus point win in Treviso. They lacked discipline and ball-carrying skills against France, spilling the ball in vital moments and picking up two yellow cards, errors that ultimately proved costly in defence and attack. Richie Murphy will undoubtedly be looking to clean that up for Friday's game.
🤩 The winning moment
🥶 Ice cold veins from Sam Prendergast to claim a late win for @IrishRugby and maintain the defending champions' winning start.#U6N20 #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/aHpyvRxUjx— Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) February 10, 2023
This same fixture last year proved to be of little difficulty for an Irish side that ran out 39-12 winners, but the Italian side they're coming up against has proved they can compete with the bigger teams, losing narrowly to two top-quality sides in France and England, picking up an impressive four bonus points in their two games, leaving them just a point behind Scotland.
Despite Ireland being the superior side in last year's Six Nations, the most recent encounter between the sides a December friendly saw Italy put 50 points on Ireland, winning out 50-47 in Clontarf. That win will be fresh in the minds of an Italian side that will be coming into this fixture with the confidence of beating Ireland at home already. Given the way Italy has been playing and their recent win in Dublin, it's far too early to rule them out of what should be a competitive contest.
17 December 2022; Giovanni Sante, left, and Simone Brisighella of Italy celebrate their side's victory after the U20 Rugby International Friendly match between Ireland and Italy at Clontarf RFC in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Team News
Ireland are unchanged from the France victory.
Introducing the Ireland U20s Match Day Squad for Friday night's clash against Italy in Treviso! 🟢#FutureIsGreen | @PwCIreland
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 22, 2023
That's all the info you need on how to watch Ireland u20s v Italy in the u20s Six Nations.
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