Schmidt: Patience key to unlocking Azzurri

Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium today, buoyed by their great escape in Paris and armed by both history and form to overcome Italy and make it two wins from two in the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations Championship.

Never will the Aviva appear so much of an Irish stronghold as it will to the visiting

Italians, having achieved just two victories, both at Murrayfield, in their 45 away games in this championship and without a Six Nations win anywhere in 13 consecutive matches.