Facing Ireland this weekend as they march into the den that is the Stade de France will be a lion, not an experienced and expert hunter, but a lion nonetheless.

Ireland enjoyed - if that’s the correct word - an opening-day win against Italy at Croke Park last Saturday.

Nick Mallett, the new Italian coach, is the latest in a long line of foreign coaches to be airlifted in to try and help Italian rugby finally gain some form of consistency.

Ireland Coach Eddie O’Sullivan has today named a 22-man squad for the opening game of the 2008 RBS 6 Nations against Italy and the Ireland A team for the game against the England Saxons in Welford Road on February 1.

The Irish Rugby Union will respond to an independent review of Ireland’s World Cup disappointment by creating three new positions within the national coaching set-up.

Ireland, seeking a hat-trick of Triple Crowns next season, will start their RBS 6 Nations campaign at home to Italy on February 2, but then tackle holders France in Paris seven days later.