WHILE not so long ago a match against Italy would be deemed no more than a useful exercise for any of the home countries, like much else in the game, that has changed. If not yet deemed among the real powers, the Italians have advanced quite a distance in a relatively short space of time.

No country has more reason to appreciate the progress made by, the Italians than Ireland. While Wales and Scotland have had very close calls against them in recent weeks, Ireland's last match against Italy in Treviso in May 1995 ended in defeat. Nor was there an extenuating circumstance attached to the 22-12 loss. The Italians thoroughly deserved their win and scored the only try of the match.

The rivalry is being renewed this afternoon at Lansdowne Road, when the countries meet for the third time. And such is the background, Ireland most certainly will have no reason to go into the match with even the most minute element of complacency, even if they will start as favourites.

Favouritism never rests easily on Ireland but it is a burden that must be discharged today, for a win is an urgent requirement with the Five Nations Championship due to start a fortnight hence and France as our first opponents.

Ireland manager Pat Whelan said yesterday after preparations had been completed with a run at Lansdowne Road: "We just cannot afford to go into the championship against the background of another defeat. We have had Italy watched in their recent matches. They were depleted against England, played very well until the last 29 minutes against Australia and would not have been flattered had they beaten Scotland. They are a good side and they are well organised. That is a lot at stake for us and also for them."

Ireland go into the match having lost to both Western Samoa and to Australia, so the need is great to avoid a hat trick of defeats on the threshold of the championship. The performance against the Samoans was quite dreadful. There was much improvement against Australia but the limited nature of the Ireland's backline was evident, nor was best use made of some good attacking positions established by the forwards.

The selectors did not see fit to make any change in the back division other than one enforced through the injury of Jim Staples. Conor O'Shea is, consequently, given a chance to put his international career back on course having last played for Ireland 20 months ago in the World Cup. Whelan implied yesterday that changes in the back line were not really a subject of great contention and said the only issue, at outside half, was whether it would be the man in possession, Paul Burke, or David Humphreys. "We did not consider Eric Elwood as we believe he still has some way to go this season." I must say, I for one, heard that statement with some element of surprise.

The Italian captain, prop Massimo Cuttitta, has stated that he sees Ireland's pack as the biggest danger to his team's chances of carving out a win he believes could edge his country closer to getting into the five nations series. He spoke of the fire and passion of the Irish pack. Let us hope he and his colleagues will experience those worthy attributes today and not the kind of lethargic ineptitude that was revealed against Western Samoa and proved fatal.

There were many commendable elements in the performance of the pack against Australia and the only change is the inclusion of 21 year old Eric Miller on the open side flank. It is a big opportunity for Miller and also for the pack as a unit to expand their game. Some of the rucking and mauling was good and effective against Australia but too often once the ball emerged off the fringes, the ball carrier had no support and the movements died. It is essential that the defence is breached and that those outside are given more space and the opportunities to capitalise on the possession. I sincerely hope that was worked upon in the Algarve over the last week.

I would expect to see Ireland use the maul quite a lot and to do so with purpose, conviction and effect. Munster did it with profit when they played Milan in the European Cup last October and won the match without too much difficulty. Five of the Italian pack today were in the Milan eight that afternoon.

Good line out possession could be the prelude to good mauling and Ireland, with Gabriel Fulcher, Jeremy Davidson, Anthony Foley David Corkery and Miller in the side, should be capable of winning it against an Italian side limited in that area. Keith Wood's throwing must be accurate and his inspirational brand of leadership will hopefully assert itself in the overall performance of the pack.

"We know this is likely to be very hard match," said Wood. "Quite honestly, I see very little now between Ireland, Italy, Wales and Scotland. We must make more use of our possession and give the backs more and better opportunities. I think the back line was criticised too severely against Australia."

The Italians decision to bring in former Wallaby Julian Gardner on the blind side flank is at least partly aimed at trying to widen the line out options and to contain Ireland in this area. The Italian pack is not big by international standards, but the Scots most certainly did not expose their limitations in the set pieces. Nor did Wales and both countries almost paid the penalty. The Italian scrum, too, looks quite strong and may yield little ground in that department.

Ireland must also keep mistakes to a minimum, for spilled passes will be costly and the Italians will turn them to account as they did a few weeks ago in Murrayfield.

Likewise, missed tackles will assuredly be punished and the Italians have some quality and quick players in the back line. They have two very adept wings in Paolo Vaccari and Marcello Cuttitta and a useful centre combination in Stafano Bordon and new cap Alessandro Stoica.

The half backs, Diego Dominguez and Alessadro Troncon, would not be out of place in many national sides. Troncon is a fine player with an incisive break and Dominguez is an excellent kicker, tactically and with the placed ball. He did immense damage to Ireland in Treviso.

There has been a lack of penetration in the Ireland back line. The selectors have decided to persevere with Burke at out half and he has many attributes. But he must widen his contribution and vary his game well. He did some great tactical kicking against Australia, especially in the first half at the end of Stephen McIvor's good.

It was stated that the loss of Staples limited Ireland's attacking, options against Australia and stifled the game plan. I am afraid the limitations behind the scrum went beyond that. But O'Shea, too, can be very good in attack and he should be used to widen our options.

Concentration, discipline and application will be very important and I hope from the kick off to see the Irish forwards issue a declaration of intent - but without the concession of needless penalties.

Ground conditions, after the week of severe weather, will be a factor and Ireland must adapt from the outset while not making life hard by wasting opportunity and committing unforced errors.

Wood has rightly said that near misses are not good enough - the need for victory is of urgent proportion.