Eddie O'Sullivan has warned against complacency when Ireland face Italy at Lansdowne Road tomorrow afternoon.
The Ireland coach has stressed the importance of getting the basics right in order to keep any faint title hopes alive, and O'Sullivan has advised his side that while they may want to play exhibition rugby against the Six Nations whipping boys, it would not satisfy him if the basics were not done well.
"You have got to get the bread and butter just right before you apply the jam," he said this afternoon. "I know there has been a lot of talk of putting up a big score which has clouded the water somewhat. We have to make sure we start well and play in their half. If we don't play well it's going to be very difficult for us.
"People tend to talk about the Italians in a disparaging way but they are two years down the track since we last met them. Their set-pieces are generally solid and I expect them to give us a bit of a run for our money in the line-out".
O'Sullivan said he had no worries over new skipper David Humphries, who has replaced Mick Galwey after he was dropped.
"David's been one of the most important senior players since he returned to the first team last autumn and the only difference is that he will be talking a little bit more than usual!" said O'Sullivan.
The Irish coach was more concerned Ireland did not infringe too often with Italian kicking maestro Diego Dominguez having returned after missing their defeat by Wales through injury.
"He adds a lot to their game as though he is small he is not afraid of making breaks in midfield and also opens up their game a bit," he said.
"However obviously it is in the penalty kicking domain that we could really be punished and while we don't want to let them get past the gain line because they could score tries we still shouldn't risk conceding penalties just to stop them as Dominguez will lap it up," he said.
O'Sullivan also dismissed suggestions of winning the title - Ireland would also need to beat leaders France in Paris on April 6th and hope England slip up against Wales or Italy as they have a far superior points difference - and instead reflected on what he would consider a successful first Six Nations campaign as coach.
"If we beat Italy on Saturday that will mean we have won all three home matches and I would settle for that as a successful first tournament".