Andy Farrell: Italy's flair players flourishing in Crowley's system

Farrell concurred wholeheartedly this week with the proposition that this is the most dangerous Italy side Ireland will have faced in their 24-year-long Six Nations rivalry

AWARE OF TASK: Head Coach Andy Farrell. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The Eternal City, bathed in sunshine, was the perfect setting for the invasion of Irish supporters who tumbled out of a string of charter planes at Fiumicino Airport on Friday, all keen to embrace La Dolce Vita, if only for a weekend.

A game of championship rugby is the essential part of the package for a 5,000-strong horde of city breakers, of course, yet after two peerless performances from Ireland in this Guinness Six Nations there will be few who will expect a similar let up from Andy Farrell's players on Saturday afternoon.