Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy is anticipating the most physical encounter of the Six Nations campaign when big-hitting Italy roll into Dublin on Saturday.
The Italians avoided the tournament wooden spoon for the first time last year and although they are still capable of suffering heavy defeats, their attitude and aggression have earned respect.
England boss Clive Woodward declared last month that the Azzurri are the most physical team in the Six Nations after France, and Scotland coach Matt Williams agreed with that assessment before seeing his side humbled at the Stadio Flaminio 11 days ago.
And now D'Arcy is the latest voice to take up the mantle and hail Italy's readiness to confront their rivals head on - but the Leinster star also insists Eddie O'Sullivan's team are well prepared for the Azzurri assault on Lansdowne Road.
"We've looked at the Italians and they're a big, hard-hitting team - probably the most physical in the Six Nations," he said. "Much of their gameplan is based around getting close and hitting their opponents as hard as they can.
"By doing that they slow down your possession, they make you try silly passes and force you to give away turnover ball. But we're aware of this because we've done our homework."
D'Arcy believes that centre Christian Stoica epitomises the Italian approach to rugby.
He said: "Stoica has been the backbone of their three quarters for so many years now. He's a big strong, physical player - everything the Italians are about."
Two more eye-catching performances against Italy and Scotland a week later could see D'Arcy finish player of the tournament - a fine achievement considering his position in the pecking order before the Six Nations.
Brian O'Driscoll and Kevin Maggs were primed to line up in the centres until hamstring tear victim O'Driscoll was ruled out of the opener against France, giving D'Arcy his chance in the number 13 jersey.
And the 24-year-old took the opportunity with both hands, dazzling the French with his quick footwork in a performance which saw coach O'Sullivan retain him at outside centre against Wales. Bath veteran Maggs was forced to drop to the bench and even Ireland skipper and talisman O'Driscoll was asked to accommodate the blossoming talent of his Leinster team-mate by moving inside.
D'Arcy impressed once again against the Welsh and then shone in the remarkable 19-13 victory over England at Twickenham, a result which ripped up the tournament script and presents Ireland with a slim chance of snatching the title.
But he is anxious to play down his performance against the world champions, modestly deflecting the praise onto his team-mates, and admits he is enjoying the fruits of playing alongside Lions centre O'Driscoll.
"Everything seemed to click into place for me against England, but a big part of that was the space created by the players around me," said D'Arcy, who will win only his ninth cap on Saturday. "Brian playing at inside centre freed up a little space for me as England were forced to concentrate on him taking the ball up. Our partnership seems to work well. We're swapping around and just enjoying it.
"The partnership was always going to be an experiment at the start - I only got my chance because Brian was injured. "We were given our first outing against Wales, and we've both enjoyed playing off each other since then."