We will try to destroy BOD’s party

Marco Bortolami insists Italy are not keeping their powder dry for the visit of England to Rome next week and the Azzurri have come to Dublin determined to “destroy” Brian O’Driscoll’s party as the Leinster centre plays for his country on home soil for the last time.

Captain and talisman Sergio Parisse is rested today, having played despite injury throughout the tournament, while coach Jacques Brunel has shuffled things about by drafting in a new half-back pairing for the round four tie.

In all, the Frenchman has made four changes to the team that lost to Scotland a fortnight ago, with flanker Alessandro Zanni another notable omission.