Italy vs. Ireland: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and 2015 Six Nations Preview

Joe Schmidt's Ireland get their Six Nations title defence up and running against Italy in Rome on Saturday, hoping to show why they're capable of sealing back-to-back trophies.

After an unbeaten autumn comprised of wins over South Africa and Australia, Schmidt's side have every reason to be confident of more success; right now, they're arguably the strongest side in the northern hemisphere.

However, annual wooden spoon contenders Italy take to the Stadio Olimpico with an underdog's attitude and a nothing-to-lose mentality against the tournament favourites, a dangerous prospect should the Irish underestimate their foes.

Ahead of Saturday's tie, we provide full viewing information and match preview, along with discussion of which key player to watch.

Date: Saturday, February 7

Time: 2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET

Live Stream: BBC Sport website (UK), SuperSport stream (SA)

TV Info: BBC One (UK), SuperSport 1 (SA)

Title Defenders Seeking Strong Start

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A trip to the Italian capital is about as good as it gets for Ireland if they were seeking a gradual ease into their Six Nations campaign.

Schmidt will be seeking the result first and a potential pinching of points second; he's too professional in his business to do otherwise, but this is Ireland's finest chance of amassing an early advantage.

Last year, the head-to-head with England meant that tries scored and points difference were pivotal come the decider in Paris.

Captain Paul O'Connell is looking to establish a cut-throat trend in his troops, too, looking to the vicious nature of the southern hemisphere sides as examples to follow, per the Guardian's Donald McRae:

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Ireland certainly have a chance of winning the World Cup. You don’t go out and play unless you believe that. It’s an outside chance because you look at New Zealand and the way they can pull games out of the fire – or the way they can put teams away very quickly.

If you give them any opportunity they’ll take it. You look at South Africa and their size and strength – and then you look at Australia and the way they played against us for those 25 minutes before half-time [when recovering from a 17-0 deficit to draw level before Ireland won 26-23. They’re incredible sides. But, when we get a few things right, and we have some luck, we can live with those teams.

The way we’ve performed in the last 18 months makes me think that, at our best, we’d certainly have a chance against them. That sharpens our preparation because we know how good we have to be against them. We have to really perform to the best of our ability whereas other countries probably have the luxury of not always being at their best and still winning.

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Those November series wins over South Africa and Australia proved Schmidt's men can compete with some of the best, but a different approach will be taken in Rome on Saturday.

In the hopes of sealing a much more comprehensive victory across the 80 minutes, Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne have been preferred as the starting centre partnership. Assistant coach Les Kiss is quoted by The42.ie as giving his take on the midfield maestros:

Now in the job for almost 18 months, head coach Schmidt has gotten to grips with this Irish squad and has overcome barriers in developing a new wave of stars.

In a World Cup year, it is now crucial that Schmidt and Ireland develop a true winner's mentality, which begins with showing no mercy to Italy.

One to Watch: Sergio Parisse

By right, Italy captain Sergio Parisse could be viewed as the man to keep an eye on in just about every fixture he features, such is the influence of arguably the greatest player ever to don Azzurri colours.

It's been the case, after all, for as long as many will remember. Each year, Italy come into the Six Nations with hopes as dim as any other team in the tournament, yet No. 8 icon Parisse always manages to stand out.

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No man is an island, though, and the Stade Francais monolith will be all too aware of the fact that no matter how hard one might try, any team is a sum of all its parts.

Parisse also acknowledges that the opener against Ireland will have a grave impact on how Jacques Brunel's side emerge in the table, per broadcaster Nick Heath:

Just as he does in the Top 14, Parisse will attempt to steer this Azzurri outfit to some sense of success. It's usually the case that even in the face of doom, Italy's captain contributes in man-of-the-match style.

Murray Kinsella recently posted footage of the 31-year-old's recent exploits at Stade, an example of the finesse he brings to his position while being every bit the brute Italy need:

Sean O'Brien will be the man attempting to stop Parisse in his tracks in what makes for a delectable No. 8 encounter, but not of the standard that Brunel's armband-wearer is unfamiliar with.

Were it not for Parisse's presence, Italy wouldn't stand a chance in the Six Nations. Admittedly, their prospects against Ireland are still slim-to-none even with him, but this leading figure has a habit of inspiring troops and he'll hope to make history in Rome's colosseum.