The rugby narrative of the opening 40 minutes of Ireland's most recent game in the Under-20 Six Nations against England at Kingston Park in Newcastle appeared remarkably similar to the defeats to Wales and France. There were too many basic errors and the defence was brittle.
However any comparisons were misconstrued because after the interval Ireland produced a standard in execution that far exceeded anything they had managed in their previous matches. The reward was a 26-20 victory, the first time England had been beaten at home in the Six Nations in six years.
Ireland coach Nigel Carolan saw his young charges come of age as a team in that second 40-minutes. Trailing 20-6 just after the interval they scored three tries through their inspirational captain, James Ryan, prop Andrew Porter and wing Matthew Byrne to rally in spectacular fashion.
Carolan has encouraged his players to play with a heads-up, expansive philosophy and they rewarded the patience of the coach and his backroom team by cutting out the errors.
Injuries in the backline have necessitated a few changes with Brett Connon and Jacob Stockdale coming into the team at fullback and left wing. There was also a late, forced change at scrumhalf with Stephen Kerins failing to recover from a knee injury and being replaced by John Poland.
The pack remains the same. Ryan has been a standout but players like Will Connors, Cillian Gallagher, Adam McBurney and Porter have also impressed.
Italian coach Alessandro Troncon makes just one change from the side that lost 24-14 at home to Scotland with Giovanni Pettinelli coming in at blindside flanker.
Tonight’s visitors lost heavily to France and England so there will be an expectation that if Ireland can replicate their second-half performance against England then those that turn up to Donnybrook – there will be tickets available at the gate – are in for an entertaining evening.
IRELAND: B Connon (Newcastle); H Keenan (Leinster), S Daly (Munster), C O'Brien (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster); J McPhillips (Ulster), J Poland (Munster); A Porter (Leinster), A McBurney (Ulster), C O'Donnell (Connacht); P Claffey (Connacht), J Ryan (Leinster, capt), C Gallagher (Connacht), W Connors (Leinster), G Jones (Leinster).
Replacements: H Kean (Leinster), J Bollard (Leinster), B Betts (Munster), S O'Connor (Munster), M Deegan (Leinster), N Saunders (Harlequins) P Kiernan ( Munster), T Kennedy (Leinster).
ITALY: M Minozzi (Calvisano); P Bruno (Mogliano), R Dal Zilio (Paese), M Zanon (Mogliano), L Sperandio (Mogliano); L Mantelli (Rovigo), V Trussardi (Clermont); D Rimpelli (Rovigo), M Manfredi (Lafert San Dona), M Riccioni (Calvisano, capt); L Krumov (Viadana), S Ortis (Lyon); G Pettinelli (National Academy), D Ciotoli (L'Aquila), G Venditti (Roma).
Replacements: N Broglia (Firenze), G Amendola (Lazio), G Zilocchi (Elephant Rugby), L Masselli (National Academy), M De Marco (National Academy), G Lucchin (Rovigo), M Angelini (L'Aquila), L Masato (Mogliano).
Referee: S Grove-White (Scotland)
