Complacency shouldn't be an issue heading to Rome this year, especially given the changes Andy Farrell has made. In a World Cup year, every time you're handed a jersey, you've got to perform and the players know that.
I also think there's a respect for Italy, given how they've played very well this year. They pushed France all the way in the Stadio Olimpico in Round 1 so Ireland know what's coming down the line.
They've a lot of very good young backs coming through. It helps them that Paolo Garbisi is back at out half. Tomasso Allen played there in the first two games and struggled a bit. Garbisi won a Top 14 title with Montpellier last year.
Ange Capuozzo at full back who's been a revelation. Small in stature but an outstanding broken field runner. He's playing with Toulouse, so a lot of their players are at a high level. It's in attack that they will pressurise Ireland the most.
But Ireland's defence has been outstanding. They've only conceded one try against both France and Wales. Italy will have their work cut out in terms of trying to break down that Irish defence.
The selection of Ross Byrne and Craig Casey as the half-back pairing is a vote of confidence from Farrell. They played the last 25 minutes against France and people were fretting with Johnny Sexton went off eight minutes into the second half.
But their game management throughout that last half hour was magnificent. They steered Ireland home, created the fourth try for Garry Ringrose which delivered the bonus point.
It's an example of what you're going to see in a World Cup, when you've four games, week on week. Andy Farrell will have to make changes during the tournament. I think the changes this weekend is evidence forward planning for the World Cup, as much as for this championship.
I think the changes this weekend is evidence forward planning for the World Cup, as much as for this championship
Switching to it's been an incredible week for Welsh rugby. All the problems have come to the surface all at once. It's a horrible position for the players to be in. I know Warren Gatland well, I could see exactly what he was doing. He cancelled training sessions earlier in the week to support the players so they could get their employment issues out of the way.
I can see him sitting in there on Wednesday night, once those issues were resolved, and saying, 'right, lads, that's the end of that, it's all about rugby now.'
If anything, that week has to galvanise the Welsh players. I think the Welsh public will be behind them. England will be favourites but given the week Wales have had, I'm expecting a huge response from them.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on Morning Ireland.
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