Andrea Lo Cicero seeks Italian revenge for Dublin bashing

Ireland must prepare for a World Cup warning shot from Italy in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener in Rome, according to former Azzurri prop Andrea Lo Cicero.

Lo Cicero believes Italy must harness the hurt of last year’s 46-7 defeat to Ireland that proved a dream Dublin send-off for Brian O’Driscoll to have any chance of beating Joe Schmidt’s tournament favourites. Italy lost all five matches last year en route to the wooden spoon and Lo Cicero believes a strong Six Nations will be vital to the side’s World Cup chances.

The 103-cap front-rower has challenged Italy to produce a Six Nations backlash to act as a springboard to facing Ireland and France again in Pool D at the World Cup.