Intervista a Eddie O'Sullivan sull'Italia.
RBS 6 Nations
O'Sullivan impressed by Italians
Eddie O'Sullivan has been impressed by Italy's RBS 6 Nations revival and is expecting them to provide a difficult final hurdle for Ireland.
Italy mauled Scotland 37-17 to register their first away win in the championship since joining in 2000.
They also succeeded in making England look average in a creditable 20-7 defeat at Twickenham, banishing memories of their dismal Six Nations opener against France in the process.
O'Sullivan believes coach Pierre Berbizier's success in persuading veteran scrum-half Alessandro Troncon to come out of retirement has been a masterstroke.
And the Ireland boss is aware the Azzurri will be ready to end his side's title pretensions once and for all if they are not given sufficient respect at the Stadio Flaminio on March 17.
"I haven't seen a game like Italy's one against Scotland - it was worse than us in Paris last year," he said.
"They gave away three tries so early and that was catastrophic, the worst possible start.
"They might have won the game had they not given Italy that start but Pierre Berbizier knows what Italy are about. He has got them ticking the right way.
"He has brought back Alessandro Troncon who has been the heartbeat of the team. Italy are such a dangerous side.
"We go to Rome for the our last game and it will be a humdinger. They're such a physical team and they hang onto the ball for so long.
"They're aggressive in defence and can cause problems."
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Good evening, there was already an injury, huh?
Giovanni Trapattoni, falling off his chair