Of all the places in all the world, this developing Irish team has had to come to Bologna, in the heart of Emilia Romagna, to face its true evaluation this season. The All Blacks were simply too good and the Canadians weren't nearly good enough. By comparison, the tightlycropped pitch normally reserved for Roberto Baggio and co in the Stadio Dall'Ara constitutes more of a level playing field.

On face value, it may not seem this way, but this afternoon's game is probably the most intriguing encounter of Ireland's campaign so far. By the end of it, Brian Ashton, the team itself and the rest of us will probably have learnt more from this game than the two before.

It goes without saying therefore, that as the last preparatory run-out before the Five Nations, it's an important game. But then again, what game isn't? However, to say it will leave the rest of the season carved in stone, and that it is therefore in some way a make-or-break game is probably overstepping the mark.

The recent nemesis Scotland, opening opponents in the Five Nations at Lansdowne Road on February 7th, fall more into that category.

Nonetheless, a win over Italy - also overdue after two defeats against them - would sure help the team's self-belief prior to playing the Scots. Just as significantly, if not more so, it would also give them confidence in continuing the path laid out for them by Ashton.

That is why the bigger picture can't be forgotten and a win for a win's sake will not be the panacea for all ills. Indeed, the further development of a largely remodelled game is the primary purpose of the exercise. If Ireland retreat from Bologna with more sustained passages of a 15-man, fast-paced, rucking game than was the case against Canada; with more players adept at intuitive decision-making in the heat of test rugby, then even a glorious defeat would arguably be preferable to a staccato, setpiece victory like a step back in time.

So it is that while another Irish win is the priority. "Having said that however," commented Ashton yesterday, "there is no way we're going to sacrifice or compromise the development of our game."

His voice was echoing around the high-ceilinged Farmese Room in the Mayor's palace, surely quite the most splendiferous setting ever for an Irish press conference. It was situated in the Piazza Maggiore, the heartbeat of this meticulously preserved, historic city and the pedestrianised centre of a simply designed polygon.

But it was no eve of match cliche or advance safety net in the event of defeat. Ashton wants something even more tangible than just a win. During training in Sunbury on Wednesday it was interesting to note Keith Wood impressing upon his forwards the need to give their rucking more dynamism.

So often against Canada a forward would arrive at the ruck, pick up, gain a few yards, go to ground and then another would come along and repeat the process. They would eventually give it to the backs when they were finished with it, as if for the sake of it.

Realistically, Ashton's way is going to take time, most probably a few years. No less than Rome, Bologna wasn't built in a day and today's game is but another stepping stone. But there is a pressing need for the pack to speed up the ruck ball, and vary the time of its release; as there is to use quicker, off the top line-out ball.

Intriguingly, last January's 37-29 defeat to Italy heralded the ending of the Murray Kidd regime and the onset of Ashton's. No less than video re-runs of the Canadian game then, the video of the Italian debacle which the squad have been perusing over, will have been as much a reminder of where a flawed Ireland have come from as a reminder of a more proven Italian side.

The Irish game then was very structured, often mapped out several phases in advance with the line-out tactics concentrating exclusively on driving forward ad nauseum and thus slowing down release of the ball. David Humphreys, or the close-in runners, need quicker ball than that.

It's probably no bad thing and is endemic of an almost revolutionised Irish team, that only three players survive from that day - Mark McCall, Keith Wood and Eric Miller, with Miller making a curtailed debut at open side flanker before retiring after 32 minutes.

After another harrowing Five Nations campaign, illuminated only by the biannual win in Cardiff, a new team has begun a hard road through first a development tour and then the All Blacks before the Canadian respite.

Yet it is still so unproven in so many areas, the lack of selectorial continuity caused largely by injuries or unavailability but also by the three wise men. There's a new midfield combination, another new left-wing and yet another half-back combination, a revamped front row and a new back row combination.

The main concern is the half-back partnership, tried and found wanting in last season's defeat to Western Samoa. Admittedly, they are now a more enduring club combination. The injured Conor McGuinness had been one of the definite plusses so far and would ideally be here. No one doubts Hogan's bravery or his willingness to take tough options, but his service will again be closely scrutinised.

More eyes will probably be on Humphreys than anyone else. The enigmatic one has all the talents and an undoubted ability to stitch the running game together like no other Irish out-half can. But it has been undermined by a brittle temperament. When it comes to providing options and calling the shots, Eric Elwood is still the more proven player.

Humphreys hasn't been taking the kicks for London Irish, but then again Elwood's technique broke down against Canada and hasn't been rediscovered in two outings for Galwegians. Who knows, that might even be an improved area.

The set-pieces should be every bit as strong, with Peter Clohessy's presence unlikely to diminish the scrum in any way. The return of the inspirational Wood and the brilliant Eric Miller will add dynamism and other dimensions to the pack's loose play, as will Dylan O'Grady judging by Ashton's high praise of the aggressive Sale tearaway.

Ireland conceivably may have been partly forced into playing a better, more balanced team which will click almost seamlessly. Yet it's hard to know precisely what to expect of them. There remain many question marks. Realistically, about four or five of this side are internationals of proven test quality; at a pinch six or seven.

By contrast, the Italians retain 10 of the side which won in Lansdowne Road and subsequently beat France a week after they completed their Grand Slam in Grenoble to record Italy's first ever FIRA Cup success.

A dozen of this team trailed the Springboks 24-22 at half-time in Bologna last month and were just seven points down entering the final quarter before losing 6231. It's doubtful Ireland could score 31 points against South Africa whereas Paolo Vaccari, Marcello Cuttitta, Diego Dominguez (the scorers of Italy's four tries in Dublin) and co can finish off the moves Canada occasionally started but couldn't complete.

If Ireland do win, you sense it would be a close call, and with home advantage, Italy are entitled to start favourites.