Italy remain under-appreciated within the Six Nations and have the capacity to give an Irish team licking its wounds a serious examination this weekend, according to former Irish international Ronan O’Gara.
Andy Farrell’s side were put to the sword by France in a sobering opening 40 minutes in Paris last week, though a second-half rally did at least give grounds for optimism heading into round 2.
Now they host an Italian side bouncing into Dublin on the back of a gritty win over Scotland last Saturday.
Speaking at the launch of Biggs and ROG On The Fly, two Irish live shows in association with Heineken 0.0, O’Gara believed that Gonzalo Quesada’s side arrive with plenty of ammunition.
“Italy are…