Italy wanted two of their sides to join the current Scottish, Irish and Welsh contingent in a bid to bolster their international prospects.

And after failing to gain admittance, Heaslip fears Saturday’s opponents at Croke Park will be out for revenge.

“Italy are a class outfit and they might feel they have something to prove,” said Heaslip.

“They might have something against the Irish team now that Italy didn’t get the nod for the Magners League.

“We’ll have to bring our ‘A game’ anyway because that’s the way this championship has gone over the last couple of years.

“We play against the Italian players in the Heineken Cup - they’re big and they bash you about.

“They hit hard, have some skilful players and seriously good finishers.”