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 still under-appreciated," he said. "I watched them against South Africa in the autumn. They created problems for South Africa, who pulled away in the end.
"They have got a really good coaching ticket, are well drilled and they know where their strengths are. They have confidence in what they do and what they want to do.
"Ireland have injuries and a loss of confidence, which makes it difficult. This weekend, with Twickenham to come, becomes very important for Ireland."
O’Gara is in a good position to offer his thoughts on the scrutiny surrounding the out-half position for Ireland, with Sam Prendergast getting the nod for Paris and Jack Crowley entering the field in the backline when he replaced Tommy O’Brien less than 10 minutes after the resumption.
The notion that the pair, who have fought tigerishly for the starting 10 jersey, could both start together in green isn’t one the La Rochelle head coach subscribes to just yet, on the assumption it is the Leinster man who stays at 10.
"I don’t think his (Prendergast) body is ready for Test rugby at 12 or 15," he said. "He needs to get stronger. From having played 10, it’s really important the connection you have with your 12.
"Would I like the idea of having two ball players?
"Starting with two 10s and trying to reposition one is a big ask if you are coming up against modern centres."
Regardless, the outlook is far from doom and gloom in O’Gara’s book.
The 128-cap international says the list of absentees for Farrell hasn’t been sufficiently acknowledged in all the postmortems.
"When you take out James Lowe, Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Ryan Baird, Ireland have never and will never cope with that amount of talent taken out of the team," he said.
"There is the argument, 'what’s coming behind them? Any team, especially Ireland, will struggle when missing so many starters. That has been brushed under the carpet and hasn’t been alluded to enough."
Former Welsh out-half Biggar is of the opinion that losing away to France and England, but collecting three wins at home is around the breakeven point for Farrell's side at present.
"From an Irish point of view, you’d probably think that with three home game against Italy, Wales and Scotland, you win those. Then, can you pinch one away?
"At the moment, England and France are better than Ireland. Everyone can see that currently, but can Ireland beat either of those teams? Absolutely, but it’s going to be really difficult.
"In a really competitive Welsh side, I won twice in London. That’s how difficult it is. Even when you are stacked and at the peak of your powers, going to England."
Watch Ireland v Wales in the Under-20 Six Nations on Friday from 7.25pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch Scotland v England on RTÉ Player
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday from 2.10pm on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
