Ireland needs win to set up cliffhanger

DUBLIN: A convincing victory for Ireland at home to Italy this weekend could set up a cliffhanger on the final day of the longdelayed Six Nations competition next weekend.

Ireland has a game in hand in the competition, which was halted in March by the Covid19 outbreak. If it scores a bonus point victory at the Aviva Stadium that would mean a fivepoint haul, one ahead of England and France going into the last set of matches on October 31.

Ireland completes its programme away in Paris against France while England finishes off its delayed fixture list in Rome against Italy at the end of the month and would look to be in the driving seat for silverware.

In order to be in the mix, Ireland must first ensure success this weekend.

It will not have the backing of its passionate fans, has lost senior players to injury and suspension and is dealing with a strict new Covid19 lockdown in that country, and coach Andy Farrell has warned about a possible Italian surprise. — Reuters

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Onehanded . . . Isaac Te Tamaki, of Southland, crosses the tryline in the tackle of Jone Macilai, of Northland, during a round five Mitre 10 Cup match in Whangarei.