O’Gara, the man in possession of the Ireland No.10 jersey for the majority of the past decade, was replaced by promising Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton for Ireland's past two internationals.

Debate has been raging on the Emerald Isle ever since over who would be at first receiver against the Azzurri, especially as both men have been playing superbly for their clubs.

But Sexton was ruled out of today’s fixture against the Azzurri due to a dead-leg and O’Driscoll believes the Munster man O’Gara can take advantage.

O’Driscoll said: “He (O'Gara) has been great since he's been back in camp.

“He has looked very fresh and enthusiastic - not that that ever waned, but he just looks like someone whose on top of his game.

"Rog has been excellent. He would have been very disappointed in November, and he's gone away and worked hard on his game and has played very well for Munster.

"It's fantastic to have two guys fighting for a place the way that the two of them are."