Kirwan taps into Italian passion

JOHN KIRWAN comes from a country of a tad less than four million people. Now he lives among 60 million and passionately believes Italy can be as big a force in world rugby as his native New Zealand.

At least that's the spin he puts on the argument, despite the fact the Azzurri have only won two Six Nations matches since their entry to the tournament three years ago.

But Kirwan, who recently took over as head coach from Brad Johnstone and has endeared himself to his employers by plotting the downfall of Wales just a week ago, is an optimist. Italy, after beating Scotland at home in 2000, waited a long time for a repeat of the heroics and he is looking for more.