O'Connell: It's been frustrating

Declan Kidney's side have not played since February 5, when they lost 23-21 on home soil to Wales on the opening weekend of the tournament.

"We have four games in a row now and some guys like that, others aren't so fussed."
Paul O'Connell Quotes of the week

They were due to face France in the second round of matches only for a frozen pitch in Paris to see the game called off at the last minute.

And while Ireland are now feeling fresh heading into the home fixture against Italy, they know it is only the start of a gruelling schedule that will see them have to play four international games in as many weeks.

"When you lose a game you like to get straight back out there and get it out of your system," the 32-year-old second-rower said.

"It's been frustrating carrying that around, but then some guys have had time to recover from bumps and bruises.

"We've just got on with what's happened because there's not much we can do about it. If you complain, the only people it will affect are you.

"Some guys with knocks have benefited from it, but a few others would have liked more game time under their belts.

"We've come into camp fresh this week and that's the positive that's come of it.

"We have four games in a row now and some guys like that, others aren't so fussed."

Contrasting wins

The last time the two nations met in the Six Nations was at the Stadio Flaminio in 2011, with Ireland needing a last-gasp drop-goal from Ronan O'Gara to escape with a thrilling 13-11 triumph.

They did, however, perform much better in the World Cup clash last autumn, a comfortable 36-6 win securing them a place in the quarter-finals.

"Italy are a very tough, physical side and I'm sure there will be a lot of sore bodies after the game," said O'Connell.

"It's probably the most physical game of the tournament. They have an excellent maul, scrum and are very good around the fringes.

"They are keeping the ball in hand a bit more and are being more expansive, but they're still really tough up front.

"They've attacked the short side a little more and have looked a very good team over the last two games, despite losing to France and England."

Kidney has been able to name an unchanged side for this weekend. Jonathan Sexton has made a full recovery from the thigh muscle injury sustained before the aborted match against France and starts in the No.10 jersey.

"We were tempted to make changes to the team, we had a long discussion about it," Kidney said. "There were a few things to consider as a couple of lads will be playing only their second game in five weeks.

"You can talk about over-exposing players, but you can under-expose them to.

"But this team was good enough to play France so it's good enough to play against Italy as well.

"We need to approach this game by game, rather than as a block of four fixtures, and that's what we're doing."