Donal Lenihan: The Italian Job is fun for fans but fraught for the coach and players

With a bonus-point a must for all teams, there is no respite for the beleaguered Italians. From a coaches perspective, lose to Italy and your job is on the line

Caelan Doris of Ireland in action against Sebastian Negri, left, and Marco Lazzaroni during last year's Six Nations clash which the Irish won 50-17. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

At this stage, everyone has seen The Italian Job, be it the original dating back to 1969 with Michael Caine and Noel Coward or the brilliant 2003 remake starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron and Donald Sutherland.

The storyline was consistent even if the venue was subject to change. The original robbery took place on a quick-fire visit to Turin, the remake set spectacularly in Venice. The challenge was the same. Pilfer as much gold bullion as you can in an afternoon’s work.