Head to head/Paddy O'Brien's whistle v tackled players: Unfortunately, this could be a messy weekend for referees. Match officials and coaches were only last week informed in detail about the stringent new approach to the tackle area at an IRB seminar in London - with DVD examples included.
There will be zero tolerance for players not releasing the ball on immediate impact with the grass. Opensides are rubbing their hands with glee at this point.
Eddie O'Sullivan called it "draconian", while his players were told only on Tuesday night.
O'Brien, the Kiwi former policeman, is highly regarded in both hemispheres having been refereeing at international level for 11 years, including some serious pressure-cooker situations like the third Lions Test against Australia in 2001.
Such is his healthy obsession with the game an authorised biography has been written on the man - Whistle While You Work, by Bob Howitt.
Of course, the whole point is to ensure a fair contest at the breakdown. Whether it works or not, the bedding-in period won't be pretty.
Bruff bubbly for Hayes
Representatives from Bruff RFC will be pitch side in Rome to present their most famous son, John Hayes, with a bottle of bubbly after Sunday's match.
The gift is to mark Hayes's 50th cap for Ireland as after many years with Shannon, Hayes went back to his old club last season.
Considering the lack of credible tightheads in Ireland, Bruff know not to expect any appearances from the big man in the near future. Sure, if the Irish management had their way they would clone Hayes to ensure the number three shirt is safe when the Cappamore farmer is finally sent out to pasture.
Glow for it, lads
Not perspiring under pressure appears to be a key element to winning the Sure for Men Six Nations Player of the Tournament award, to be voted by the Irish media.
Although this column is not one for promoting sponsors we felt the Sure tagline needed to be included because of its weak attempt to show a parallel between body spray and Irish rugby players: "Sure For Men has been specially designed for men to perform in the toughest and most challenging situations." Really.
As the media can't be depended on to use their own instincts, Neil O'Gorman of Banks Love Marketing Communications has laid out three criteria for selecting the top player, who must:
1. Display an ability to consistently handle pressure throughout Ireland's Six Nations games.
2. Respond to pressure by raising his game and inspiring his team-mates.
3. Stand up and be counted during decisive moments during each game.
As a side note, and for a change, the Sunday scribes can enjoy the whole weekend in Rome as they don't have the anxiety of the dreaded deadline fraying their nerves. No pressure.
Bookies' corner
If you see some guy leaping out of his seat every time Malcolm O'Kelly gets a sniff of the whitewash come Sunday he is probably the writer of bookies' corner. Being big believers in fate, we think O'Kelly will be the first try scorer on the day he equals Mike Gibson's record of 69 caps.
Put €20 on that and the return is a cool €660. Definitely worth a look. The Munster fan can do likewise with their beloved Paul O'Connell or go even further out and take John Hayes at 40 to 1.
Or you could be a sensible punter and go with a back, which is still quite tasty.
(All Paddy Power) Ireland: S Horgan and Denis Hickie 7/1; B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy and G Murphy 8/1; R O'Gara 14/1; P Stringer and A Foley 16/1; S Easterby and D Leamy 20/1; S Byrne 25-1; M O'Kelly and P O'Connell 33/1; R Corrigan and J Hayes 40/1.
Some facts about Italy
Just a few facts and figures about Ireland's opponents:
Founded: Saturday, September 1st, 1928.
Joined IRB: Sunday, March 1st, 1987.
National shirt colour(s): Royal blue.
National shorts colour(s): White.
National socks colour(s): Royal blue.
Full-time staff: 50.
Part-time staff: 114
Number of clubs: 500.
Pre-teen male players: 14,150.
Pre-teen female players: 0.
Teen male players: 15,000.
Teen female players: 140.
Senior male players: 10,400.
Senior female players: 475.
Total male players: 39,550.
Total female players: 615.
Number of registered players: 40,165
Number of referees: 443.
Site for sore eyes
The entertaining East Terrace website (theeastterrace.com) is one Six Nations site worth a look. The lads don't really take life too seriously as their slightly fictional stories will attest to.
Here's a taster under the headline: Bernard Laporte told to win Triple Crown or 'say goodbye': "French coach Bernard Laporte must deliver French rugby the long elusive Triple Crown or face the sack. The shock ultimatum from the FFR comes after a poor November series which saw Les Bleus hammered by a record margin by the Kiwis.
"The French media have welcomed the ambition of the French officials but are expressing little confidence in Laporte delivering: "No one in French rugby can put their finger on it," said a rugby journalist from Paris. "But we always seem to be lacking something when it comes to the Triple Crown. It's frustrating and embarrassing for a nation with such a proud history to be unable to achieve a task that even Ireland have managed seven times."
