Italy vs Ireland LIVE: Latest build-up and updates as Six Nations Super Saturday begins

Ireland need to win – ideally with a bonus point – to stand any chance of snatching the title. They will then face a waiting game.

If Ireland successfully increase their points tally from 14 to 19, the permutations for them to lift silverware are relatively straightforward – they need second-placed England to, at most, beat Wales without a bonus point while also surrendering their current points difference advantage of seven, and then France must lose to Scotland in Paris.

What a difference a week makes. Ireland went into a mouthwatering contest with France in the championship driving seat but are now in serious danger of finishing third.

While there is no shame in losing a fixture which has ultimately decided the destination of the title in the past three years, Ireland’s performance in the 42-27 loss was alarming.

Easterby’s men must improve significantly on a shambolic second-half display to put some pressure on their title rivals.

Captain Caelan Doris insisted there is no sense of anti-climax in the Ireland camp as they fight to keep alive their scant hopes of Six Nations glory against Italy.

Simon Easterby’s side had hoped to be running out in Rome on the cusp of an unprecedented third consecutive title and a second Grand Slam in three years.

But, following last weekend’s 42-27 hammering against France, Ireland must rely on results elsewhere to snatch the championship crown and are in serious danger of finishing third.

Spare a thought for the logistics team at the Six Nations, for which this has not been an easy week.

In their pre-tournament plotting and planning, this would surely have been both a dream and nightmare scenario: a “Super Saturday” where each and every game contains a title contender and the men’s champions will not be known until the bells of Notre-Dame chime 11 times.

The smart money would be of a straightforward Stade de France lifting of the trophy after France dispatch Scotland in Paris, but things are seldom that simple in this championship.

Take care of business themselves and Ireland and England could face an anxious wait, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on hold to host a hoisting if required, while an Irish three-peat would see an “opulent palazzo” employed to give a sense of ceremony to the medal presentation.

Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full preview of the final day:

Italy have only won four of the 37 meetings between the two sides, with their last victory coming in 2013 when they ran out 22-15 winners in Rome.

Since then Ireland have won 15 in a row and could well make it 16 today. Rugby betting sites agree with Ireland at 1/14 for the win, while you can get 9/1 on an Italy win and 50/1 on a draw.

Italy have won just one match, and that came against Wales in Rome, when the home side ran out 22-15 winners. They have lost the other three matches with an aggregate scoreline of 151-57.

Check out our prediction and best bets:

Simon Easterby has explained his team selection, with JAck Crowley coming in for Sam Prendergast at No 10 as the main change.

“We have freshened things up a little this week in selection and it’s a great boost to welcome back some players from injury, alongside others who have patiently waited in the wings for their chance to start,” said the interim head coach.

“While there was disappointment with certain aspects of our performance last weekend, we are thankful for the chance to get back on the horse this week.

“We’ve shown our resilience in recent years and I have no reason to believe that the game in Rome this weekend will be any different.

“The attitude of the players has been spot on since we gathered on Sunday evening, and you can sense a determination amongst everyone to give their best performance of the campaign. That’s both the challenge and the opportunity that faces us this week.”

Italy have dropped captain Michele Lamaro to the bench, with Manuel Zuliani given an opportunity on the openside and Juan Ignacio Brex named skipper.

There are plenty of changes elsewhere, too, with Tommaso Allan, Martin Page-Relo, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Simone Ferrari, Dino Lamb and Lorenzo Cannone all handed starts.

Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Dino Lamb, 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Martin Page-Relo, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Ange Capuozzo; 15 Tommaso Allan.

Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosue Zilocchi, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Michele Lamaro, 21 Ross Vintcent; 21 Stephen Varney, 23 Leonardo Marin.

Simon Easterby hands fly half Jack Crowley his first start of the tournament with Sam Prendergast dropped to the bench.

Mack Hansen and James Lowe are fit to return on the wings while Tadhg Furlong is back on the bench after his injury travails.

Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray will make their final appearances for Ireland off the bench, but Cian Healy has played his final Test – Jack Boyle is preferred as the replacement loosehead.

Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Jack Crowley; 11 James Lowe, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.

Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Peter O’Mahony; 21 Conor Murray, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Bundee Aki.

Ireland vs Italy is due to kick off at 2.15pm GMT on Saturday 15 March at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 1.30pm GMT. A live stream will be available via ITVX.

Ireland know a win is a must if they are to preserve they faint Six Nations title hopes as they take on Italy on Super Saturday.

The grand slam dreams were dashed by a drubbing at the hands of France in the penultimate round to leave Les Bleus in control of their own destiny as they prepare to take on Scotland in the championship denouement.

Ireland’s hopes of an historic third straight title require a French slip-up in Paris and England failing to take a full five points against Wales.

All Simon Easterby’s side can do, though, is put the pressure on by beating an Italian team that have struggled defensively in their last two outings.

Here’s everything you need to know: