McCormick backs Ireland's mentality against formidable Italian pack

In Italy, Ireland U20s face a team on a high following a 6-0 win over England in round two

Ireland's James McCormick celebrates against France

Bullish but not complacent, James McCormick knows the Ireland Under-20s are in for a tough test from Italy when they resume their Six Nations title bid at Musgrave Park in Cork tonight (8pm).

The hooker has been front and centre of Ireland’s back-to-back wins so far, scoring a try in each, the first in a 53-5 drubbing of Wales in Cork and then in their famous 17-16 victory over France in Aix-en-Provence last time out, which was sealed at the death by fly-half Charlie Tector’s conversion of a Ben Brownlee try.