Italy’s favourite Irishman: Ian McKinley ready to beat the odds again

To his team-mates, Ian McKinley is an inspiration, but as the Irishman turned Italian prepares to face his old friends at Soldier Field, this Saturday’s Test is not about him but the Azzurri doing themselves proud against Six Nations rivals.

The story of the former Leinster fly-half’s resurrection as a professional rugby player following the loss of sight in his left eye is a remarkable tale, never mind the fact that the 29-year-old is now a Test international in his adopted country.