Italians aim to make it hot for the Irish

ITALIAN manager Carlo Checchinato is confident Italy will push Ireland all the way in Saturday’s opening RBS 6 Nations clash at Lansdowne Road.

The Italians face a huge challenge in trying to overcome Eddie O’Sullivan’s men in Dublin, having never won a game away from home in the Six Nations competition.

But new coach Pierre Berbizier has given fresh impetus to the Italy squad, and Checchinato is sure the players will rise to the challenge for the Frenchman’s first Six Nations game in charge of the national team.

“We are ready for Saturday and the boys are all sharp and focused,” Checchinato said. “Players like Gonzalo Canale, who has had a full season in France with his club Clermont Auvergne, are ready after a week’s break with us.”

Checchinato is adamant Italy’s players will not back down in the face of an Irish onslaught.

He said: “We are training hard in preparation for the match and we are going to fight Ireland all the way - that is for sure.

“Ireland are a strong side, but we are strong too. It is the first game of the competition, so anything can happen, and although they are favourites for the game, we’re determined to make an impact.”