Pause... Now engage

A NEW championship and a new start for so many Irish hopefuls makes today’s opening RBS 6 Nations encounter against Italy something to savour at Stadio Flaminio (2.30pm).

Well, that’s one way to look at it as Ireland kick off their long march to this autumn’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand with an injury crisis and on the back of a disappointing and frustrating series of November internationals.

In that respect, there can be no better place to be starting a Six Nations campaign than in Rome, in the warm, spring sunshine on a mud-free pitch where Ireland have never lost and the Italians have managed just six wins in 11 seasons since joining the competition.