Paulie’s words of wisdom to outfox Azzurri

PAUL O’CONNELL’S preparations to upset Italy’s lineout tomorrow have gone as far as learning Italian, fellow Ireland lock Donncha O’Callaghan has revealed.

O’Connell famously learned to count in Afrikaans to unravel South Africa’s calls by Victor Matfield in November 2009, when Ireland beat the Springboks 15-10 at Croke Park.

And now, with the help of Ireland’s forwards coach Gert Smal, an Italian-speaking South African, he is brushing up his Italiano ahead of the winner takes all World Cup Pool C clash with the Azzurri in Dunedin.