Head coach remains positive despite Italy’s current low place in the pecking order

Japan’s Kaito Shigeno and New Zealand’s TJ Perenara also shortlisted

Six Nations: Joe Schmidt’s men need to end a frustrating sequence of results

Outhalf selected ahead of Kelly Haimona for Saturday’s match in Dublin

Anthony Foley’s side have too much in their armoury to be really troubled by Italian side

Azzurri secure their place at Japan 2019 after surviving late Oaks really in Exeter

Italian captain believes Ireland are ‘the best team in the northern hemisphere’

Jacques Brunel has broadened Italy’s playing patterns to make them a more rounded team but he hasn’t quite solved the halfback conundrum

Search for the right balance and an improvement in offensive efficiency a must for Italy

Club will receive €4m a year from Italian federation until 2018

Injury and indiscipline help Italy claim first Six Nations win in fixture

But Azzurri talk up chance of historic first win over Ireland

But Azzurri talk up chance of historic first win over Ireland

Toby Flood kicks six penalties to give Stuart Lancaster’s side a chance of winning first Grand Slam in a decade

Toby Flood kicks six penalties to give Stuart Lancaster’s side a chance of winning first Grand Slam in a decade