Ireland gear-up for European campaign

IRELAND have arrived in Rome ahead of their European Nations Trophy campaign which begins on Sunday.

And they intend having another few sessions on the pitch after getting an eye-opener during two games against hosts Italy almost two weeks ago.

Some of the players were shocked at the state of the pitch but at this level you don’t always get the best facilities ... which makes it paramount Ireland get back among the elite by virtue of finishing either first or second in this series.