Paul O'Connell recognises the improvements in Italy's game since the start of the RBS 6 Nations as he prepares to lead Ireland against the Azzurri on Saturday. "Their pack is their biggest strength. They've probably added to that a bit, they're playing a bit more with ball in hand. Their attack has been a lot better in the last two games, they're beginning to mix it both ways," he said.

Expressing the Ireland squad's eagerness to record their opening win of 2012 against Italy, centre Gordon D'Arcy said: "There's a huge amount at stake...our home record, getting a Championship challenge back on track, just setting the record straight and repaying people who have put faith in us - that goes from the management right the way through to the amazing support that we got when we dipped in performance a little bit."

Smal Comments On South Africa Coaching Role

Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal, who spent the week working with the squad in Limerick, has issued a statement regarding the position of South Africa head coach.

"I was deeply honoured to be linked to the position of head coach for the Springbok team and having being involved with the team before, it was obviously something that I would have thought about very carefully," said Gert Smal, who has been part of the Irish set-up since June 2008.

"A big part of that consideration would be my connection to the Ireland team as well as my desire to see out my contract as I am very happy here.

"Declan (Kidney) and the IRFU showed great faith in bringing me here and it has been a wonderful experience from a professional point of view, as well as for my family.

Smal, head coach Kidney and two more members of the management team, Les Kiss and Mark Tainton, all agreed new contract extensions with the IRFU last summer.

The decision of all four coaches to commit to Ireland will see them remain with the squad until the conclusion of the 2012/13 season.

"There is still such great potential and opportunities for the Ireland team and I have great faith in the players that we can achieve things together with the coaching staff," added the South African.

"I have not given up on the possibility of coaching my country in the future, but my focus now is on Ireland and on our first game in the RBS 6 Nations Championship."

The Championship campaign for Smal and the Ireland management and players gets underway on Sunday, February 5 with the visit of Wales to the Aviva Stadium.

Earlier today, the South African Rugby Union announced that Heyneke Meyer has taken over as head coach of the Springboks.

Weighing up the challenge posed by Italy this weekend, Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris said: "They're a very physical team and have been slightly unlucky so far in this Six Nations. Breakdown, scrum and set piece, they're very strong in those areas. We need to hold onto the ball and be patient. It may take 50 or 60 minutes to break them down."

Speaking ahead of Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy, Ireland scrum half Conor Murray said: "We've had a bit more time to gel and train together. Hopefully it'll work against Italy and we get to show what we can do with the ball and hold onto it for a bit longer. Fellas have healed up injuries and are fresh, we'll take positives out of it and kick on - there'll be no excuses."

Listen to Ireland head coach Declan Kidney name the team to face Italy in the Six Nations this weekend. "We had a good long discussion about it (the selection). We took a look at all the permutations, a couple of lads wouldn't have had a game for a number of weeks. We felt this team was good enough to play France, so obviously we'd consider them good enough to play this match too," he said.

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