Judging by these comments, Italy are coming to Ireland for a serious dogfight

Italy playing cynically and trying to be as nasty as possible. What else, you might ask, is new?

For the past few years, Jacques Brunel and his coach staff have attempted to add some expansiveness and daring to the Azzurri. However, following four losses from their last five outings, the gloves are coming back off. Italy forwards coach Giampiero de Carli has identified the one, key area that is needed to give his side a fighting chance against Ireland. He says:

"Against Scotland we did good things and could have won the game. We are on the right track but we have to eliminate the major mistakes. "Compared to a few months ago we can go through many more phases in attack, which is a sign of good work. "But we have to be more cynical and have a greater competitive nastiness in some situations."

Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek is expecting nothing less than a battle. "It's nothing different to anything they normally bring," he said, "and normally their captain [Sergio Parisse] is leading the charge. They've played some good rugby. For them not to have a 'W' is pretty unlucky." Brunel, meanwhile, is awaiting positive fitness updates on Edoardo Gori and Leonardo Ghiraldini before selecting his starting XV. Gori showed a small rib fracture against Scotland, while Ghiraldini is being monitored after injuring his shoulder in the same game.