Italy coach Conor O’Shea on Tuesday trimmed back his Six Nations squad to 26 players ahead of their second tournament game against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, at 9:15pm Cambodian time.

After a final training session in Rome, Irishman O’Shea released five players back to their clubs – injured flanker Giovanni Licata, George Biagi, Giulio Bisegni, Renato Giammarioli and Edoardo Padovani.

Italy lost their opening match against defending champions England 46-15 in the Stadio Olimpico last Sunday and travelled to Ireland on Wednesday.

Ireland beat France 15-13 in their Six Nations curtain-raiser.

The last time Italy beat Ireland was in a Six Nations tie in Rome in 2013, with the Irish winning their last five clashes.