Simon Easterby is hoping that his team get the luck of the Irish this weekend with the destiny of the Guinness Six Nations title out of their hands.
France come into Super Saturday in pole position to pick up a first title since 2022 as they host fourth-place Scotland in Paris at 8pm.
By then, following Ireland’s 2.15pm kick-off against Italy, and England’s trip to Cardiff (4.45pm), Les Bleus will know exactly what they need to come out on top but a win of any hue will guarantee the crown.
For Ireland’s part, all they can do is pick up a 25th Six Nations win over Italy, preferably with a bonus point, and then see how the cards fall elsewhere.
There was a similar scenario when Ireland won their second championship under Joe Schmidt in 2015, their victory confirmed long after their match had concluded as England failed to beat France by the 26 points needed in the late game.
In 2007, Ireland were also in with a shout as they watched France against Scotland following their 51-24 win over Italy earlier that afternoon.
Ultimately, a late French try saw them claim the title by four points.
Easterby, who won 65 Ireland caps, was a regular starter back then.
Simon Easterby (l) was part of the Ireland side that fell short in 2007
“Yeah, it was a strange time when we were doing that 18 years ago but we can only do what we do on Saturday and then who knows,” he said.
“If there is a chance, we might get a bit of luck with it being Paddy’s weekend, maybe.
“And who knows, we might end up with something to show for it other than other obviously the Triple Crown, which means a lot to us.
“We need to focus on our performance first and get that right, and whatever happens after that happens.”
The 2023 and 2024 champions are unlikely to look back on the championship ruing what happens in Stadio Olimpico tomorrow but rather it’s how they fell to the French in round four last weekend that will hurt.
The better team won and Ireland know they underperformed in the 42-27 defeat.
“We weren’t good enough in lots of areas and I think the squad have a real internal motivation to perform and to play at their best when they play in an Irish jersey,” said Easterby.
“We didn’t match those expectations and the standards that would have been set across a good period of time.
“So our challenge and the challenge for the players is to put in their best performance yet.
“And you’re right, it’s a different dynamic. We can’t change what went on on Saturday but we can certainly have an impact on the performance and the right result this weekend.
“And then who knows? There’s a chance and we just need to make sure we’ve prepared in the right way this week against a really good Italian team who will want to put to us, the type of performance they’ve put in in the last few weeks is probably disappointing as well.
“It’s an intriguing match-up. We know what we need to do to get the best out of ourselves and we need to make sure we’ve a full focus on that.”
Italy sit second from bottom after heavy losses to France (24-73) in Rome and England (47-24) last weekend in London.
The Azzurri have improved in recent seasons since ending a 36-match Six Nations losing streak in 2022. However, a solitary win from their 2025 campaign will be seen as an underachievement for Gonzalo Quesada’s men.
Italy were too good for Wales
“They are really dangerous, really tricky,” Easterby said of the hosts, who beat Wales 22-15 in round two.
“I think their axis of 10-12-13 are really strong and important, especially in attack. [Paolo] Garbisi, if it’s him, if it’s Tommaso Allan, they have that kicking game which can hurt teams.
“But also [Juan Ignacio] Brex and [Tommaso] Menoncello are class players, they’ve got real strong elements to their game and they are involved in the attacking game a lot.
“They give them a lot of go-forward, so yeah, it’s a really good challenge for us and one that the players are really looking forward to.”
Easterby is in charge of affairs with Andy Farrell on Lions duty until after the summer tours and the former Scarlets player says that the head coach has been in regular contact with the squad and management during the campaign.
He stressed that 2023 World Rugby coach of the year Farrell’s absence has not been detrimental to their cause.
“The fortunate thing for me is that there’s continuity in selection, continuity of coaching other than Faz,” he said.
“We’ve had conversations, myself and Faz and the other coaches, throughout the championship. He’s had an involvement, you know, he’s been around, and he’s a big personality to lose from the group.
Andy Farrell (c) watches on during Ireland’s defeat to France
“But other people have taken up that mantle and the opportunity for other voices to come to the forefront.
“Any side would miss him being around, his knowledge and personality but I think from my end, the nice thing has been that the playing group has stepped up, the management and the coaching group has stepped up in and as much as you miss someone like Faz, it’s also important that no team is about one person.
“You lose a few players, like when Johnny [Sexton] finished, it has to move on and it did after the World Cup.
“Faz will be back obviously, but it’s important that there’s enough foundation and strength in the group that losing someone like Faz doesn’t derail us.
“Yes, we know we could have been better in lots of areas and we probably have had really good patches throughout the championship and then we’ve had some dips in performance and that happens, but I’ve been pleased with the way that we’ve, as a group, players and coaches and management, have stepped up in his absence.”
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Watch Italy v Ireland (from 1.15pm) and France v Scotland (from 7.30pm) in the Guinness Six Nations on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player this Saturday.
Follow a live blog of both games on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, and listen to live commentary of Italy v Ireland on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
