NOT surprisingly, the Italian management were jubilant, although understated, about Ireland in the aftermath. When asked how he saw it, coach Georges Coste replied: "I saw it like everyone else, with my own two eyes. I thought it was a very vibrant game and I was very proud of the struggle. I think we showed great intelligence.

"I thought I would find Ireland a very combative team, however the Italian team today was even more combative.

"Rugby is a game of risks not errors," he added, rubbing some salt into Irish wounds and simultaneously winding up the critics. "We need to avoid being penalised for killing ball on the ground. But the Italian team is quite young. We've only been playing for about five years. Ireland and other sides in the United Kingdom (sic) have over 80 years of practice. We do everything we can to merit more games to try help us grow. Italy has a need for these games. It is the only way to grow as a rugby playing nation," he added, hinting to the Five Nations committee.

The Milanese prop and captain Massimo Cuttitta, speaking perfect English with an Italian/South African accent, also warmed to the idea of Italy being accepted into the Five Nations competition: "We have stated our case for inclusion into the Five Nations. It's up to us to prove that we are worthy by what we can do on the pitch against teams like Wales, Scotland, England and Ireland."