Conor O’Shea: Win over South Africa can be Italy’s 1978

Facing his native Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations next month will be a special occasion for Italy’s new head coach Conor O’Shea.

Joe Schmidt’s title contenders travel to Rome in week two of the 2017 Championship to face O’Shea’s Azzurri at the Stadio Olimpico when the former Ireland full-back will plot the downfall of his compatriots.

O’Shea, 46, left the English Premiership behind as Harlequins’ director of rugby to accept the difficult job of resurrecting Italian pride, the job having got the better of his predecessor Jacques Brunel. Despite leading Italy to a first victory over South Africa in November, O’Shea faces a tough start to his debut Six Nations campaign, welcoming Wales first and then Ireland to Rome with the latter fixture clearly in the coach’s thoughts.