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Kirwan wants Christmas early

28 January 2005, 11:07 am

Italy coach John Kirwan has told his players to imagine it is Christmas Eve ahead of the RBS 6 Nations next month.

Kirwan believes his side, who have won only three matches since entering the tournament in 2000, are capable of taking the title providing they are as motivated as the other contenders.

We must believe that we can win the tournament, otherwise theres no point being there, he said. Santa Claus is coming to town.

Ive told the players to go to bed early and not to be naughty because I want them to have the excitement my nine-year-old has when I say Santa Claus is coming to town.

We have to approach it like that. We have to be like England and France have been in the past, like Ireland are at the moment. Otherwise we might as well give up.

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