O’Sullivan: elements are our main threat

THE bookmakers make Ireland 7 or 8 to 1 on favourites and the handicap is 25 points.

These gentlemen rarely get it wrong and to be honest, it will come as something of a disappointment to Irish fans if the conquerors of the world champions fail to put a big score on Italy at Lansdowne Road this afternoon.

To be fair, Italy aren't the pushover they were in the early years of their participation in the Six Nations and should be treated with a degree of respect.