The 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations heads into the second round this weekend, with Irish interests centred on the fixture between Ireland and Italy at Galway’s Dexcom Stadium on Saturday 18th April.
The clash in Connacht, which can be followed on RTÉ (kick-off 5:40pm) for those not lucky enough to be in attendance, carries extra significance, marking the first time that Women’s Six Nations rugby has come to the province.
Ireland lost their opener to England at Twickenham, but there were enough slivers of positivity in their display to suggest that they can rebound to turn the Italians over in front of what should be a vocal Galwegian crowd.
Ahead of the action, we’ve previewed Saturday’s game, with an analysis of last weekend’s Round 1 fixtures, and the latest team news and predictions using the odds from Tonybet’s rugby union markets.
Ireland team preview
Given little chance from the outset, Ireland managed to ruffle some English feathers in last weekend’s Women’s Six Nations opener at Twickenham, keeping the score to a respectable 33-12 despite their defeat.
The first half was challenging, to say the least, with England building a commanding 21-0 lead by the break. However, the Irish response after the interval was notable, with the spirited visitors matching their hosts point for point (12-12).
Speaking in the aftermath, head coach Scott Bemand said: “I’m really pleased the second half was 12-12. I’m really encouraged by the spirit the Irish girls showed. At some point, people will realise we have some firepower and we create turnovers.”
Tries from replacement centre Anna McGann and captain Erin King were rousing rewards for Ireland’s second-half endeavour, and subs Eilís Cahill, Grace Moore and Katie Whelan all added energy.
Those impressive cameos might give Bemand food for thought ahead of what looks like a more passable test against the Italians in Galway, though some players are certain to retain their starting spots.
Erin King, who was leading the team for the first time since recovering from a serious knee injury, put in a typically classy shift against England, while lock Dorothy Wall, who was also making a comeback, caught the eye. Hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald was also admirably solid while earning her 50th cap.
Dannah O’Brien’s kicking game was decent from out half, while Ireland’s work in the breakdown was snappier in the second half.
Improvements could be made in Ireland’s lineout accuracy, however, and Bemand will want his players to maintain their width when moving the ball this weekend.
Still, overall, Ireland’s showing against England will have lifted confidence in the camp, and using that as a foundation, they should be able to dictate the tempo against Italy at the Dexcom Stadium, with support from Connacht providing added energy.
Possible Ireland XV: Stacey Flood, Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane, Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Linda Djougang, Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite, Brittany Hogan, Erin King (captain), Aoife Wafer
Italy team preview
Italy limped out of the blocks last weekend with a 40-7 loss away to France in Grenoble, a loss that leaves coach Fabio Roselli with some repair work to do, both in terms of tactics and confidence ahead of his team’s trip to Galway.
Any and all positives from the Italians’ work in France last week were found in the first 30 minutes. Italy were competitive until that point and even controlled a decent amount of territory against their fancied hosts.
The Azzurre ran out of gas after that, however, and faded badly in the second half, registering just one consolation try through Gaia Buso after they had conceded five themselves.
Roselli fielded an experienced side in Grenoble that featured a clutch of players who play their club rugby in the top league in France. The coach is likely to stay loyal to the same personnel in Galway on Saturday.
Captain Elisa Giordano should lead again from number eight, while full-back Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, who starred with a hat-trick in Italy’s domestic final just before the start of the Women’s Six Nations, should be handed another starting remit.
Sara Mannini had issues with the lineout against France and struggled to maintain intensity across the 80 minutes, though her position is unlikely to be under threat. Gaia Buso, who scored that late try last week, could come into contention after her late impact.
Italy’s main strengths lie in their attacking flair when the game opens up, particularly through dangerous runners such as Ostuni Minuzzi and Aura Muzzo, so Ireland will have to restrict space for both.
Their experienced players in the pack can provide a physical edge, but only if the Italians can improve their set-piece execution. The key challenge for the visitors will be to turn early-game competitiveness into points this time.
Possible Italy XV: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Aura Muzzo, Alyssa D’Incà, Sara Mannini, Francesca Granzotto, Veronica Madia, Alia Bitonci, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Alessia Pilani, Valeria Fedrighi, Giordana Duca, Francesca Sgorbini, Alissa Ranuccini, Elisa Giordano (captain)
H2H record
In the 2025 edition of the Women’s Six Nations, Ireland roared to a 54-12 victory over the Azzurre on Italian soil, aided by a famous hat-trick from the electric Anna McGann.
That was something of a departure from the norm, however, certainly in terms of the wide margin of victory. Indeed, when the teams last met in Ireland in March 2024, Italy triumphed 27-21, and they came out on top again in 2023, beating the Irish 24-7.
Irish fans will recall the results in 2024 and 2023 as warnings not to underestimate Italy this weekend. Those defeats highlighted just how clinical the Italians can be when their set-pieces function properly.
Ireland will look to their bonus-point victory over Italy last year for inspiration, however. Centre Aoife Dalton was the Guinness Player of the Match in that win in 2025, chipping in with 7+ carries and 15+ tackles while racking up 40+ metres, and she will hope to be just as influential here.
Players to watch
Ireland
Erin King (captain) – King returned from injury and looked close to her influential best against England. She scored a try and completed 15 tackles against the Red Roses, showcasing her ability to affect all phases of play. Her leadership, knack for scoring and relentless breakdown work will make her a pivotal figure again on Saturday.
Dannah O’Brien (no 10) – The fly-half kicked plenty of ball into the English backfield at Twickenham, and her ability to control territory will be key again on Saturday. O’Brien’s line kicking is her X-factor. Italy might look to target her with runners when Ireland are defending, like England did to good effect.
Béibhinn Parsons (no 14) – Parsons had an ineffective outing (by her own high standards) against England. She carried well a few times, but her decision-making wasn’t quite there. Parsons will be determined to improve against Italy.
Italy
Elisa Giordano (no 8, captain) – The vastly experienced forward will look to take the game by the scruff again through her leadership and physicality in the pack. Giordano will need to be on top form if Italy are to remain competitive in Galway.
Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (no 15) – A real threat, the in-form full-back has the speed and finishing ability to capitalise on any Irish negligence in defence.
Veronica Madia (no 10) – The fly-half and technically gifted operator can unlock defences when given time and space to do so. Madia pulled the strings when Italy shocked Ireland 27-21 at the RDS in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
Our expert predictions
Expectations are high for Ireland ahead of Saturday, and with home advantage in Galway a significant factor, the hosts have been priced to win.
Ireland’s work in the face of defeat in England last week, especially in a second half where they achieved parity (12-12), had more than a few positive signs, so expect them to push on here.
The hosts should control the set-piece better and use their depth to pull away in the second half. Scott Bemand’s subs made a real difference against England, and Ireland’s quality in reserve could make a similar impact against the Italians.
Italy started well in their defeat to France and are likely to compete physically in the early exchanges again on Saturday. However, there are question marks about their ability to maintain intensity, and fixing their obvious lineout issues could prove difficult.
Ireland showed last year that they have the measure of this Italian outfit and they can prove that again at the Dexcom Stadium. An approach to take to the markets could be to back Ireland to win with a bonus point or a margin of around 15 to 20 points in the handicap lines.
The second half might be where the largest wedge of scoring is done, with Italy capable of frustrating early on, particularly in the opening 30 minutes.
For the latest betting odds for this Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture, including match winner, handicaps, try scorers and more, head over to Tonybet’s rugby union markets.
