After Ireland struggled to deal with the French speed last week, Hugo Keenan has warned against a similar fate in Rome this afternoon.
Ireland finish their Guinness Six Nations campaign against Italy this afternoon (live on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), needing a win, and more than likely a bonus-point win, to put pressure on England and France in the title-race.
Their hosts have shipped two heavy defeats to France and England in recent weeks, conceding 120 points in those two games, but while they have struggled in defence, their attack has been electric at times, and looks more than capable of punishing any sluggishness in the Irish backfield.
Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex have established themselves as a rival to any centre partnership in the championship, while wing Ange Capuozzo has also impressed with two tries across his four games.
The Toulouse back scored his team's opening try in last week’s defeat to England, while he also made a stunning break from deep to set up Ross Vintcent later in the half.
"He’s an exciting player, he’s a tough opponent to come up against," Keenan said of the Italian wing, who can also play full-back.
"He brings that sort of Toulouse flair. You obviously saw his assist in that counter-attack against England at the weekend, the danger that he poses about. It’s another exciting challenge.
"We all know the qualities they possess and how good they can be and the quality they have.
"I think they’d obviously be disappointed with their defence, but they are just a passionate team that any day they play anywhere but especially in Rome, we know they’re going to be bring that emotional physical edge.
"It’s a great Test match, it’s great to have such a challenge after a loss as well to test yourself after you put things right. To show what we’ve got."
Ireland’s lack of speed in their backline was highlighted in the wake of last week's defeat to France, with Simon Easterby’s side struggling to contain Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud.
And Keenan (above) says they have learned some big lessons in the post-game review.
"The French back three had a good day and there was obviously a few ways we probably could have shut them down better," he said.
"We’ll be looking to impose that this week on Capuozzo and the back three.
"I think we all know it wasn’t the performance we were hoping for. There were positives to take and we have looked at those, maybe not taking our chances in the first 20 minutes when we played quite well."
While Ireland’s title hopes look slim, Keenan insists there will be no lack of motivation, as they look to finish the campaign on a high for Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray in their final internationals before retirement.
He said: "The mindset is just to put in a good performance, it’s the last opportunity we have to do it with this group we have, I think it’s not only the three lads retiring, but the management who have put in so much work, the wider squad who we’re representing as well.
"There have been good performances but consistently over the Six Nations and this year, we know there is a lot more in us, that’s the challenge this week.
"It’s exciting because it’s a tough place to go, we know from two years ago how tough a place it can be if you’re not on it against the Italians, they’ll make you pay for it.
"We’re privileged and honoured that so many people are spending the money to come and see us. Because it’s not cheap! I’ve seen the prices of flights! To get over to support us and get behind us, it’s brilliant.
"It’s disappointing that we’re not giving them the dream ending that everyone was hoping for and we were hoping for, but we’re going to have to make it a special day for them, make it worthwhile."
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Watch Italy v Ireland (from 1.15pm) and France v Scotland (from 7.30pm) in the Guinness Six Nations on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
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