In 2011, Italy led 11-10 with just seconds remaining on the clock but O'Gara, as he has done more than once for Munster this season, displayed nerves of steel to kick a below-par Ireland to victory.

Italy do arrive with cause for optimism however. Jacques Brunel's new-look side might have suffered two defeats to France and England but against Les Bleus, Italy enjoyed plenty of possession, if not troubling the try-line, while the Azzurri had Stuart Lancaster's men on the ropes at 12-6 at half-time, only for Charlie Hodgson's second charge-down try in as many games to prove decisive.

Ireland meanwhile, have been twiddling their thumbs and dwelling on the disappointment of their opening defeat to Wales - a third in a row in Dublin - and are desperate to open their account on Saturday.

Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni may have been ruled out for the Championship but as is habitually the case, the Italian pack will be a formidable proposition for Ireland - as captain and second-row Paul O'Connell is acutely aware.

"You need that big, strong pack that can get you over the gainline which they have," said O'Connell. "But once you've done that you must be able to attack out wide.

"They seem to have improved a lot in that regard since the Six Nations started.

"But we're hungry and enthusiastic. If we meet the physical challenge, we have a great chance of winning."

Ireland have named the team that was due to play France with Jonny Sexton, who tweaked a thigh muscle in the build-up to that match, now back to full fitness.

That means Keith Earls, who missed the clash with Wales because his daughter was taken ill, will make his first appearance of the Championship with Fergus McFadden - as he was due to in Paris - dropping to the bench.

With Castrogiovanni absent, Lorenzo Cittadini comes in at tighthead for Italy while on the other side of the front row Michele Rizzo makes his Championship debut.

In two other changes by Brunel, Tobias Botes cames in at fly-half for Treviso teammate Kris Burton after both floundered with the boot against England.

Botes, who plays at scrum-half at Treviso, was a replacement for Burton against England with both equally errant from the kicking tee - but it is the South-African born half-back who has got the nod.

Alberto Sgarbi comes in at inside centre in the other change, and manager Luigi Troiani has warned his players they must be more clinical than in their previous two matches if they're to register a first win.

He said: "After the weekend we have got a few minor physical issues and a little tiredness but no more than usual.

"At the Olimpico we paid the price for our errors and we didn't know how to take advantage of the few errors made by our opponents. That explains the difference in the final score.

"Now though we are thinking about Ireland, a team which puts on a lot of pressure, and doesn't give you any space.

"They are very good at slowing down the ball, they will be a very difficult opponent, especially at home and we are well aware of that."