Early chance for Ireland as they win a penalty in front of the posts. The Olympic Stadium falls silent as Johnny Sexton, unsurprisingly, tees up a kick at goal...

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger

"In critical games like this you need to score points when you apply pressure - Italy will be disappointed they were unable to come away with some points there, whether through a try or a penalty."

Image source, Reuters

"Come in number 12, you're time is up." Bad news for Italy as centre Gonzalo Garcia trudges off in the opening stages through injury. Garcia looks distraught as he grazes his gingery beard back on the bench, after being replaced by Tommaso Benvenuti.

But the change doesn't disrupt the Azzurri too much as they go on the offensive. Ireland's defence remains firm though .

No success at the set-piece yet for the Irish, Italian hooker Andrea Manici finding a blue shirt with both of his opening throws.

First handling error from the Italians gives possession back to the Irish, who made progress into opposition territory thanks to the trusty right peg of Johnny Sexton.

Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan has the honour of kicking off this Pool D match - which is exactly what he does. Game on!

Image source, Reuters

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very important guest on the Olympic Stadium touchline. Nope, not a member of the Royal Family, or David Beckham...it is the William Webb Ellis trophy! That beautiful piece of gold glistens in the east London sunshine before being carried off to a safer vantage point. Time to go...

David Humphreys
Former Ireland fly-half on BBC Radio Ulster

I think we will see another very well organised Ireland performance. Maybe not showing a huge amount but doing enough to win the game by a similar margin to the 36-6 win over Italy at the last World Cup.

A lot of the Italian players have got a little bit older and the probably don’t have the same physical threat that they had two, three, four years ago. Parisse is their one world-class player. Even when they are beaten, he invariably looks outstanding but will he be able to produce his best after his recent injury problems?

Image source, Rex Features

Ear-splitting noise as the two teams stroll out of the Olympic Stadium, with swathes of green are covering all four sides of the ground.

Quick reminder before kick-off that you can listen to all the action (as well as hanging on our every word of course...) by tuning into BBC Radio 5 live sports extra or BBC Radio Ulster.

If you're quick you will hear rousing renditions of both national anthems...

Image source, AFP

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, now back in the Olympic Stadium tunnel, on ITV1: "We're not trying to avoid anyone in the quarter-finals -we're just trying to get ourselves into the last eight. Lose today and it is a three way race for the quarter-finals. 

On Robbie Henshaw's inclusion: "He brings stability to our defence, in the Six Nations he was our best tackler. He's got a strong carry and passing game and his work-rate means he will contribute right the way through."

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at the Olympic Stadium

"After losing warm-up games against Wales and England, Ireland appeared back to their well-drilled and efficient selves in the opening wins over Canada and Romania."Italy’s struggle in edging out Canada 23-18 suggests the Irish should win comfortably but the Azzurri welcome back talisman Sergio Parisse who missed their opening two matches."It’s win or bust for Italy. More likely to be the latter for a side that defeated Ireland as recently as the 2013 Six Nations."  

Image source, Rex Features

Now I don't know whether Simon Cowell is a rugby union man or not, but if the high-trousered music mogul is watching the action in the Olympic Stadium then he would surely spot the talents of Italian powerhouse Sergio Parisse.

Italy were without the number eight against France and Canada, but have rushed him back from injury to face the Irish in a bid to provide a magic spark.

“That’s what we’ve missed, hopefully he will be on the pitch with us and he can bring that calmness and X-factor,” says team-mate Quintin Geldenhuys. “We need something extra and hopefully he can give it to us.”  

Italy make five changes from the win against Canada - with one new name instantly leaping out of the team-sheet.

Sergio Parisse, their talismanic number eight,  returns after missing the first two matches with a calf injury. Elsewhere Andrea Manici replaces injured hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, with Matias Aguero, Simone Favaro and centre Michele Capagnaro also drafted in.  

Image source, BBC Sport

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt makes 11 changes from the 44-10 win over Romania with only Simon Zebo, Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe and Jamie Heaslip retained.

Zebo stays at full-back because Rob Kearney (hip) is not being risked, while Earls switches to centre alongside fit-again Robbie Henshaw.

Henshaw tastes his first World Cup action after a hamstring twinge ruled him out of the opening games.

Image source, BBC Sport

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Olympic Stadium

"For the second World Cup Sunday in a row, Ireland are back in action, almost under the radar, after a Saturday night of Twickenham tumult.

"Ireland coach Joe Schmidt won’t mind the majority of the rugby world’s attentions being focused on the hosts’ stunning World Cup exit as his Six Nations champions look to book their place in the last eight."

So far Pool D has been more predictable than the sun setting in the evening. France and Ireland have won all their games, Canada and Romania have lost all their games, Italy are scrapping around in the middle.

And that makes today's permutations quite simple. Ireland are through if they avoid defeat. Italy are out if they do not win.

Image source, BBC Sport

One corner of east London is having an Irish-themed party. And if you're not wearing green then you ain't coming in. The Olympic Park is packed with Irish fans - it is like a home game for Joe Schmidt's side.

Image source, Inpho