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2024 Six Nations – Ireland v Italy |
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venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin date: Sunday February 11th kick off: 15:00 GMT |
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coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Radio Ulster. Live text updates, reports, reactions and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Ireland back-rower Jack Connan says Italy are “very close to getting some big scalps” as they prepare for Sunday’s Six Nations clash in Dublin .
England needed a second-half comeback to beat Italy in Rome last week.
Italy came close to Ireland in Rome last year, ultimately losing 30-24, but they overwhelmed Wales in Cardiff in 2022.
“Italy are playing with so much passion and emotion and now they are also bringing that precision,” Conan said.
“They’re very close to getting a big scalp, you can see it as they play.
“They were unlucky against England but we have to do everything we can to stop them.”
Ireland are favorites for Sunday’s clash at the Aviva Stadium, but Italy showed glimpses of quality against England with tries from Alessandro Garbisi and Tommaso Allan, giving the Azzurri hope of a famous victory.
“They’re a quality team and they play a really good brand of rugby. They play good rugby and aren’t afraid to play from anywhere,” Conan said of Italy. .
“It’s definitely a different challenge than France, because they’re probably a little bit more pragmatic and more proactive. Italy are going to play every opportunity they can.”
“We’re going to have an even tougher defensive challenge this weekend than we’ve had in the past, so we’re going to have to work on that from the get-go.”
Conan seizes opportunities even after injury
Conan came on as a substitute midway through the second half in Ireland’s bonus point win over France in Marseille on Friday and is looking to start.
The 31-year-old started all three of the British and Irish Lions’ Test matches against South Africa in 2021, but the competition for a starting spot in Ireland’s back row is ahead of Caelan Doris and Peter. He faces stiff competition from the likes of O’Mahony and Josh van der Flier.
Asked if he was knocking on manager Andy Farrell’s door asking for more game time, Connan said: “Sometimes you don’t have to stand up and say your opinion or have a word. When the opportunity comes, I just have to use that to my advantage.”
“Due to some knocks during the World Cup, I wasn’t able to play as much as I had hoped, which was disappointing.
“Right now, it’s about taking advantage of opportunities when they come. Even after all these years that I’ve been here, I still want to have those conversations because I want to get better.”
He added: “The players are at such a high level here that no one can say, ‘We don’t need to have those conversations, we don’t need to focus on what we need to improve on.’
“We have a lot of good players, especially in the back row, who can come in and do a good job even when they’re not in the team. Fuzz.” [Farrell] I would be happy to make such a call, so please participate if you have the opportunity. ”