Ireland Six Nations titles prospects are slim but they still have to put themselves in position

Ireland head coach Simon Easterby said Italy are "really dangerous, really tricky" opposition this weekend.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris said Jack Crowley and  Sam Prendergast are "both confident lads, both capable of taking a walk-through or having attack points mid-training and they both have a good head on their shoulders". Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Just how harmful to Irish morale was France’s emphatic victory in Dublin seven days ago will be revealed when Simon Easterby’s team return to action at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon.

The mantra from the camp since that damaging defeat at home to France seven days ago has been about the need for Ireland to produce a performance to be proud of when they close their Guinness Six Nations campaign against Italy in the first of three final-round games which have become a schedulers’ dream come true.