Rugby World Cup qualifier: Italy v Ireland
Kick-off: 2pm, Sunday. Venue: Azzurre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. How to watch: Live on RTÉ Player.
The Ireland women’s rugby team find themselves in ‘must-win’ territory as they prepare to face Italy in the second round of the European qualification tournament for next year’s delayed World Cup finals in New Zealand.
Following a shock opening day reversal to Spain, Adam Griggs’ side simply have to come out on top of their clash with the Azzurre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma tomorrow. A victory over the Italians would at least keep them in line for a runners-up spot and a place at a forthcoming repechage tournament - which will fully establish the participants for the 2022 showpiece in the southern hemisphere.
Although Ireland’s match day 23 won’t be named until later this afternoon - and some changes are expected to their starting line-up - it is anticipated that Stacey Flood will continue at outhalf for the third game in succession. The Dubliner earned her first start as a 15s international in a 25-5 Six Nations success over Italy back in April, but acknowledged their latest meeting will take on an entirely new dimension.
“We have looked over them. We’ve done a few reviews and meetings. Not too much difference to when we played them in the Six Nations,” Flood explained in the build-up to the game.
“I think Italy playing at home, Italy playing in good weather, could play a factor. Obviously they’re here to do a job, just like any other team. We know what to expect from them. If they throw us a few curve balls, we’ll be totally ready to problem solve on the field and adapt to that.”
Italy will certainly come into this game on a high as a result of their emphatic 38-13 bonus point triumph over Scotland in the opening round. While Ireland have generally had the upper hand in this fixture - winning 17 of the 19 competitive clashes between the two countries - the Italians claimed a 29-27 win when they last met in Parma during the 2019 Six Nations Championship and will understandably have their sights on a repeat result.
Ireland: Eimear Considine; Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins, Sene Naoupu, Beibhinn Parsons; Stacey Flood, Kathryn Dane; Laura Feely, Cliodhna Moloney, Linda Djougang; Nichola Fryday, Sam Monaghan; Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon, Ciara Griffin. Replacements: Neve Jones, Lindsay Peat, Leah Lyons, Brittany Hogan, Claire Molloy, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Lauren Delany.
