Head coach Joe Schmidt has been forced to defend his selection decisions and his team's style of play in the build-up to the game and he'll be hoping that his players can repay him with an improved performance against an Italian side that are without their first-choice out-half, scrum-half and hooker.
Ireland captain Rory Best believes that the newcomers to the squad are now starting to grasp what is required of them to make the step-up to international rugby.
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Kick-off in the opening game of the day is at half-past one before the greatly anticipated show-down between England and Wales at Twickenham – the potential championship decider will kick-off at 4pm.
