With the England game out of the way, Ireland can now turn their attention to the rest of the championship as they bid to become the best of the rest in the Guinness Women's Six Nations.
It starts against Italy in the new surrounds of Connacht's Dexcom Stadium on Saturday evening.
While Scott Bemand's side managed a respectable 33-12 defeat in London, Italy, after a strong start, lost 40-7 in France.
Find out all you need to know about the game here.
TV
Ireland v Italy (Saturday 5.40pm) is live on Virgin Media. Scotland v England (Saturday 1.30pm) is on Virgin Media Two, Wales v France (Saturday 3.35pm) is on RTÉ Player.
ONLINE
We'll have a live blog, report and reaction from Ireland v Italy on www.rte.ie/sport.
RADIO
Live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport.
WEATHER
Partly cloudy in Galway with a less than 5% chance of rain, says Met Éireann. Temperatures around 11C.
While the scoreline showed a marked improvement from recent outings against England, Ireland will feel they didn't play close to their potential against a Red Roses team who were far from their best.
England took advantage of some poor handling errors to race into a 21-0 half-time lead. The second-half scoreline was 12-12 with England keeping Ireland at arm's length throughout.
Anna McGann and Erin King got the Irish tries, while Dannah O'Brien added a conversion.
Ireland's frustration should be channelled into a much better performance this week as they aim to build upon last year's 54-12 victory in Italy.
Captain Erin King says Ireland are targetting a dominant performance when Italy visit Dexcom Stadium in round two of the #SixNations on Saturday #RTESport #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/JDmoDFrFLG
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 17, 2026
It will be the team's first outing in Galway, with the new Clan Stand sold out as ticket sales pass the 8,500 mark.
Head coach Bemand has made three changes to his starting XV, with winger Robyn O'Connor set for her senior debut, her aerial prowess favoured with Italy expected to bring a kick-heavy approach.
Elsewhere, Ruth Campbell comes in for Dorothy Wall in the second row, while Nancy McGillivray, making her first championship start, replaces Eve Higgins in the centre.
Our line up for Galway. pic.twitter.com/0l7C2nqPRY
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) April 16, 2026
The Azzurre dominated the opening 25 minutes against France last weekend, holding 83% possession in that spell.
And while the hosts ran out comfortable winners, Italy trailed by just 5-0 at the break and held them to just two tries until the 53rd minute.
Head coach Fabio Roselli has made five changes with a new half-back pairing of experienced scrum-half Sofia Stefan, 102 caps, alongside Emma Stevanin.
Gaia Buso earns her first championship start after impressing with a try off the bench at the Stade des Alpes.
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Nancy McGillivray, Aoife Dalton, Robyn O'Connor; Dannah O'Brien, Emily Lane; Ellena Perry, Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Fiona Tuite; Brittany Hogan, Erin King (capt), Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones, Sadhbh McGrath, Sam Monaghan, Dorothy Wall, Katie Whelan, Eve Higgins, Anna McGann.
Italy: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; Gaia Buso, Alyssa D'Incà, Sara Mannini, Aura Muzzo; Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Gaia Maris, Vittoria Vecchini, Alessia Pilani; Valeria Fedrighi, Elettra Costantini; Francesca Sgorbini, Alissa Ranuccini, Elisa Giordano (capt).
Replacements: Chiara Cheli, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Zanette, Giordana Duca, Beatrice Veronese, Alia Bitonci, Veronica Madia, Michela Sillari.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)
Assistant referee 1: Ben Connor (Wales)
Assistant referee 2: Rebecca Piddlesden (England)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Australia)
FPRO: Finlay Brown (Scotland)
WHAT THEY SAID
Scott Bemand (Ireland head coach): "Getting on the front foot early is important. We didn't get that right last week. And we've looked at it, acknowledged it, took the learnings from it and now we've got to get it right."
Vittoria Vecchini (Italy hooker): "We are already focused on Ireland - another match that will undoubtedly be difficult, as I think every match is. We are working to improve the things that didn't go as we wanted against France so we can do better, and that's what we expect."
RECENT SIX NATIONS MEETINGS
2025: Italy 12-54 Ireland, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
2024: Ireland 21-27 Italy, RDS
2023: Italy 24-7 Ireland, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
2022: Ireland 29-8 Italy, Musgrave Park
2021: Ireland 25-5 Italy, Donnybrook Stadium (3rd/4th place play-off)
Elsewhere, Saturday's round-two action kicks off at Murrayfield where Scotland welcome world champions England for a 1.30pm start.
France visit the Cardiff Arms Park for the mid-afternoon clash with Wales (3.35pm).
FULL LIST OF FIXTURES, RESULTS AND STANDINGS
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