Italy star Mauro Bergamasco, who made his first start in his new position as a winger after spending most of his career as a flanker in the 30-22 victory over Wales last Saturday, admits O'Driscoll is giving him and his team-mates headaches before the clash.

"I watched their victory over Scotland last weekend," said the elder Bergamasco brother on RAI TV.

"The three-quarters are particularly strong when the lines meet and in the ability to defend in numbers."

"O'Driscoll is particularly involved as the offensive creator who, although he is picked as a centre, is in fact more creative than the two half-backs."

But Bergamasco, whose brother Mirko went on as a substitute against Wales, was adamant a reinvigorated Italy could cope with the Irish talisman.

"We will just tackle him," said Bergamasco. "It's not always easy because he is a great player and very good at wrong-footing you on the inside.

"But if we follow our defensive game-plan there will always be another defender inside."