I have become extremely wary of Irish performances in the second of back-to-back internationals and the fact that today’s outing is against Italy offers no significant comfort.

There has been times over his decorated coaching career that Declan Kidney has been characterised as a lucky general.

Coming into Saturday’s Six Nations face-off at the Aviva Stadium, it was always going to be a case of who blinked first.

Three key areas of confrontation at the Aviva today

Anyone expecting the French to pitch up in Dublin on Saturday and roll over after losing their opening three games in the Six Nations for the first time since 1982 had better think again.

IRELAND’s last two performances in the Six Nations haven’t been unlike the tournament itself — after an opening weekend of promise, it’s all petered out into mediocrity.

This must rank as one of the most disappointing defeats for an Ireland side in the Six Nations championship for a long, long time.

Ireland must start well for so many reasons

Here we are, just short of three weeks since that must win opening game against Wales in the Six Nations and once again Ireland face more of the same — another can’t lose contest.

SO, the only two sides in the Six Nations showing a degree of consistency are at opposite ends of the table.