STATS & FACTS: Ireland vs. Italy
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STATS & FACTS: Ireland vs. Italy
17 Stats and facts ahead of Ireland's clash with Italy at Soldier Field, Chicago.
1. Ireland have won 23 of their last 24 games against Italy, including their last six in a row since a 22-15 defeat in Rome in 2013.
2. Jonathan Sexton has been nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year
3. Jordan Larmour gets his first start in the no.15 jersey in this game.
4. This will be just the third meeting between Ireland and Italy at a neutral venue after they clashed at the Rugby World Cup in both 2011 in 2015, Ireland winning on both occasions.
5. Ireland have played in the USA on six occasions previously, winning all six matches, including their only previous fixture at Soldier Field in Chicago – a 40-29 victory over New Zealand in 2016, their only ever win against the All Blacks in Test rugby.
6. Italy have played just twice before in the USA, beating the Eagles in Houston in June 2012 and in San Jose four years later.
7. Ireland have won nine of their last 10 November fixtures with their only defeat in that run coming against New Zealand in 2016.
8. Since their historic victory over South Africa in November 2016, Italy have gone on to lose 17 of 19 Tests, winning only against Fiji in 2017 and Japan in June this year. 14 of Italy’s 17 defeats in that run have come by 13+ points.
9. Ireland have averaged 21 minutes and 10 seconds of possession per game in 2018, the only tier one side to average 20+ minutes of possession this year; as a result they are also the only tier one nation to average 150+ carries per game (158).
10. Ross Byrne is set to make his test debut from the bench.
11. Soldier Field is the home of NFL side Chicago Bears and has a seating capacity of 61 500.
12. Italy’s Jake Polledri has beaten 34 defenders in the Premiership this season, more than any other player; the Gloucester back row has also missed just one of 59 tackle attempts in the league this year, recording a 98% success rate.
13. Italy’s Mattia Bellini has made 14 successful offloads for Zebre in the PRO14 this season, at least three more than any other player.
14. Ireland’s Jacob Stockdale has scored 31 tries in 45 games for club and country since the beginning of 2017, including 11 tries in 11 caps for Ireland so far.
15. Rhys Ruddock will captain the side having previously worn the armband for the duration of the 2017 Summer Tour of the USA and Japan
16. Michele Campagnaro captains Italy for the first time in this match
17. South African born loose forward Johan Meyer debuts on the side of the scrum for Italy
