Ireland v Italy - Preview

After last season's fifth-place finish, it is testament to the work of head coach Joe Schmidt that there is an element of disappointment that Ireland are playing merely for the Six Nations title and nothing more in 2014.

England crushed Ireland's Grand Slam and Triple Crown dreams at Twickenham last time out, doing just enough to stop a side whose previous displays against Scotland and Wales suggested they were the juggernaut that would not be stopped.

Of all the teams - Ireland, England, France and Wales - that go into the penultimate weekend with hopes of the championship alive, Schmidt's side have the most appetising tie.

England and Wales will bash each other up at Twickenham for the privilege of retaining interest in the silverware, while France travel to a Scotland side lifted by their first win of 2014 last time out. Italy, on the other hand, are the only nation without a win this series.

Not that Schmidt is taking the challenge lightly. He was not involved in Rome 12 months ago when Ireland lost to the Italians for the first time in 18 games - a defeat that arguably led to Declan Kidney's exit - but Schmidt is all too aware of the threat.

Jacques Brunel's Italy have not picked up a point so far but in Michele Campagnaro they have a pacy centre in form with three tries in five games, while restored fly-half Luciano Orquera was a thorn in Ireland's side with his dangerous kicking game.

With that in mind, Schmidt spoke of respect in his pre-match news conference, and of avoiding over-confidence. The astute former Leinster boss has moulded his players tactically, and the evidence is there from their 2014 revival that they also absorb his mantra mentally. The temptation to look to France as the big decider has been well and truly rubbished by the Kiwi; focus remains on Italy until the 80 minutes are up.

One man whose memories of the 2013 defeat in Rome are particularly sour is Brian O'Driscoll. Yellow-carded for only the second time in his Ireland career, he received a three-week ban for stamping. In what will be a record-breaking 140th Test, he has the chance to create a happier memory on his final home appearance.

Jonny Sexton retains his place at 10 after overcoming a thumb injury picked up in the England game, although in-form flanker Peter O'Mahony is out with a hamstring injury. Iain Henderson steps up from the bench to take the blind-side berth.

For Italy, skipper Sergio Parisse is rested as a result of a calf strain, while Alessandro Zanni's 58-match run in the Italy side has come to an end after he returned to Treviso with a knee sprain.

In their place, Brunel has recalled Marco Bortolami - who captains the side - and Paul Derbyshire comes in. There are changes in the halves with Orquera and Tito Tebaldi preferred to the benched duo of Edoardo Gori and Tommy Allan.

Ireland : 15-Rob Kearney; 14-Andrew Trimble, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Dave Kearney; 10-Jonny Sexton, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-Mike Ross, 4-Devin Toner, 5-Paul O'Connell, 6-Iain Henderson, 7-Chris Henry, 8-Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Jack McGrath, 18-Martin Moore, 19-Rhys Ruddock, 20-Jordi Murphy, 21-Eoin Reddan, 22-Paddy Jackson, 23-Fergus McFadden

Italy : 15-Luke McLean; 14-Angelo Esposito, 13-Michele Campagnaro, 12-Gonzalo Garcia, 11-Leonardo Sarto; 10-Luciano Orquera, 9-Tito Tebaldi; 1-Alberto De Marchi, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3-Martin Castrogiovanni, 4-Quintin Geldenhuys, 5-Marco Bortolami, 6-Joshua Furno, 7-Paul Derbyshire, 8-Robert Barbieri

Replacements: 16-Davide Giazzon, 17-Michele Rizzo, 18-Lorenzo Cittadini, 19-Antonio Pavanello, 20-Manoa Vosawai, 21-Edoardo Gori, 22-Tommy Allan, 23-Andrea Masi

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee : Nigel Owens (Wales)

Touch judges : Pascal Gauzere (France) & Greg Garner (England)

TV : Geoff Warren (England)

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Paddy Deserves Chance - BOD

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Brian O'Driscoll says Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson deserves his chance to start Ireland's Six Nations match with Italy if Jonny Sexton is ruled out.

Sexton is a doubt with a thumb injury which his club Racing Metro believe could keep him out of Saturday's Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium.

"If he gets his opportunity Jackson has his own qualities that he brings to a game," said centre O'Driscoll, 35.

"I played with Jacko last year and he's played really well in this season."

The Leinster player added: "He deserves his chance, albeit he is playing behind one of the best 10s in the world, so certainly if the situation arose [that Sexton was not fit to face Italy] we are lucky that we have strength in depth at out-half."

O'Driscoll, who will become the world's most capped player when he wins his 140th [132nd for Ireland, eight for the Lions] on Saturday, is blocking out the emotion surrounding his final home Test in an Ireland jersey as he looks to end his career on a winning note.

He insisted that Ireland must improve on their performance against England if they want to stay in the hunt for the Six Nations championship title.

"I'm not really that emotional, I won't allow the build-up to affect me," he said.

"I'm sure aspects will be difficult, I'll be sad but I just want to go out on a high, that's the focus."

With four teams tied on two wins each going into round four of the Six Nations, the 35-year-old rejected the notion that Ireland will go into Saturday's match with Italy expecting to run up a big winning total.

The game is first and foremost about winning by any margin, he claimed.

"You have to think about the processes and about being clinical in finishing our opportunities," he said.

"And if that means that the Italian team we face has a brilliant day, then that means getting across the line.

"We've got too much respect for them. They are capable of beating anyone in the championship, and England are the only team they haven't beaten in the Six Nations.

"So, we're absolutely aware that they're a team very much on the up. We'll have our work cut out to contain them and beat them."

O'Driscoll hinted that it would be a huge boost to Ireland ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup if Sexton can be bought out of his Racing Metro contract and returns home to an Irish club.

"He (Sexton) is contracted to Racing and I think it would be disrespectful to them to say that we're looking to take him away from them," said O'Driscoll.

"I think everyone is in agreement that we didn't want to see him go, and if a situation arose where he did come back and some agreement was made, well I don't see that as being possibly a negative.

"I know that he'd be welcomed back into the provincial fold and I know the national management would like to control his game time a little bit more than they currently can."

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Ferguson All Pete the Plumber

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Sir Alex Ferguson says David Beckham had to leave Manchester United because the former England captain thought he was "bigger than the manager".

In his latest autobiography, Ferguson said he fell out with Beckham after criticising his performance during an FA Cup defeat by Arsenal in 2003.

"The minute a Manchester United player thought he was bigger than the manager, he had to go," he wrote. "David thought he was bigger than Alex Ferguson.

"That was the death knell for him."

Ferguson also said he had concerns about Beckham's celebrity lifestyle, following the player's marriage to Victoria Adams, a member of the pop group the Spice Girls.

"David was the only player I managed who chose to be famous, who made it his mission to be known outside the game," wrote Ferguson. "I felt uncomfortable with the celebrity aspect of his life."

Beckham, who won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League crown during his United career, was eventually sold to Real Madrid for £25m in the summer of 2003.

Ferguson retired from management in May, ending one of the most successful managerial reigns in British history.

During his 26 years in charge at Old Trafford, he won 38 trophies and managed some of the biggest names in football, like Beckham, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Peter Schmeichel, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Ferguson also writes in Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography that:

Ferguson also describes in detail his version of the dressing-room bust-up with Beckham that followed the FA Cup loss to Arsenal.

"He was around 12 feet from me," wrote Ferguson. "Between us on the floor lay a row of boots.

"David swore. I moved towards him and, as I approached, I kicked a boot. It hit him right above the eye.

"Of course, he rose to have a go at me and the players stopped him. 'Sit down,' I said. 'You've let your team down. You can argue as much as you like.'

"I called him in the next day to go through the video and he still would not accept his mistake. As he sat listening to me, he didn't say a word. Not a word.

"'Do you understand what we're talking about, why we got on to you?' I asked. He didn't even answer me.

"The next day the story was in the press. In public, an Alice band highlighted the damage inflicted by the boot.

"It was in those days that I told the board David had to go."

After helping Real Madrid win La Liga, Beckham moving to the United States, where he guided LA Galaxy to victory in the MLS Cup.

"I imagine he also had his eyes on Hollywood and the impact it would have on the next phase of his career," Ferguson added.

"There was no footballing reason to go to America."

Keane was another who Ferguson decided was no longer wanted at Old Trafford.

The Scot describes how his relationship deteriorated with the Republic of Ireland midfielder, to the point that he became a negative influence at the club.

"With Roy, there were episodes of great friction and drama as he tried to impose his will on the team," wrote Ferguson.

"On one occasion, as I came in to the dressing room, Roy and Ruud van Nistelrooy were at it, hammer and tongs. They had to be pulled apart by the players.

"At least Van Nistelrooy had the courage to stand up to Roy, because not everyone did. He was an intimidating, ferocious individual. His mode when angry was to attack, lay into people."

Keane left United in November 2005, just a few weeks after angering Ferguson for criticising team-mates in an interview for MUTV.

Ferguson also allowed Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford, but only after Real Madrid had agreed to pay £80m for the winger.

"Cristiano was the most gifted player I managed," wrote Ferguson. "He surpassed all the other great ones I coached at United - and I had many.

"The only ones who could be placed near him would be a couple of the home-produced players, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, because they contributed so prodigiously to Manchester United for two decades."

Ferguson's trophy haul includes 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

He was replaced by fellow Scot David Moyes, who left Everton to take the Old Trafford job.

Under Moyes, the defending Premier League champions have made their worst league start in 24 years and lie eighth in the table, eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

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London Street Race on Button

Jenson Button believes Formula One's "dream" of a grand prix around the streets of London could yet become reality. Twenty months ago plans for a race through the streets of the capital were aired by British Grand Prix sponsors Santander.

Using CGI technology, a 14-corner, 5.1km circuit was unveiled, incorporating notable landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Trafalgar Square.

Many believed it to be a publicity stunt, although F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone threw his weight firmly behind the idea, adamant it was "no joke".

The 83-year-old even suggested putting the money up, with estimates then it would likely cost in the region of £35m. Such an event would, however, pose enormous problems, although one of those could yet be removed at some point in the near future.

The government on Thursday announced a consultation on closed-roadmotor sport events on mainland Britain which is due to run for six weeks through to 10 April.

While the primary objective is to pave the way for events such as stage rallies, sprints and hill climbs to take place on a limited number of British roads, it may also prise the door open to F1 taking to the capital.

There would still be considerable logistical and environmental issues to contend with, and understandable objection from many campaigners. But Button, who along with former McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton helped front the campaign in June 2012, is hoping something will eventually come to fruition.

"When I first saw the plans for a London Grand Prix I knew they were ambitious, but fantastic," said Button. "The thought of a race through the capital's streets was only a dream when they initiated the project, but this week's changes to the law bring the idea a step closer to reality.

"When you really picture what it would look like it's truly mind blowing. You could create such a unique grand prix through the streets of London – the roads are naturally very wide and long, so straightline speeds would be high, and you could create a real blend of corners.

"When you combine all of that with the world-famous monuments that would feature in the backdrop you can see why it would be an awesome addition to the calendar."

The new FIA-sanctioned series Formula E, with cars run via electric power, is due to take to the streets of Wembley and Stratford in June 2015 as the conclusion to the 10-race championship that commences in Beijing.

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) has campaigned long and hard for Britain to follow the lead taken by many overseas countries who have staged closed-road events for years.

The MSA acting chief executive Rob Jones said: "This is the news British motor sport has been waiting for. It represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the landscape of our sport, allowing local communities across the country to host motor sport events and enjoy all the excitement and economic benefit they bring.

"However, to make that vision a reality we need everybody involved in our sport, from competitors and volunteers to clubs and organisers, to respond positively to the government consultation before the 10 April deadline.

"The government's enthusiasm for closed-road motor sport, and its launch of a public consultation, is the culmination of years of hard work behind the scenes.

"We now have to demonstrate the support that exists for closed-road motor sport around the country."

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Ancellotti's Ready for Schalke

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Cristiano Ronaldo is available for the first leg of Real Madrid's Champions League last-16 tie against Schalke following a three-match domestic ban.

The Portuguese, 29, was shown a red card in the 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao. on 2 February.

In Ronaldo's absence, world-record signing Gareth Bale has started Real's last three league games, scoring twice.

"We'll need a little miracle," said Schalke coach Jens Keller of his side's chances against the Spanish giants.

Schalke lie fourth in the Bundesliga, 21 points off leaders Bayern Munich, and drew 0-0 at home to Mainz on Friday.

Keller can take hope from nine-time European Cup winners Real's miserable record on German soil.

Real's 4-1 defeat in the first leg of last year's Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund was their 18th defeat in 25 visits to German opposition.

A 3-2 win away to Bayer Leverkusen in the 2000-01 tournament is their only win away to a German club.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas says he and his team-mates must be prepared for the different challenge that Schalke will set compared to their domestic Spanish opposition.

"Being a German team, Schalke has great physical presence," he said.

"It is mounting a comeback in the Bundesliga. It stuttered a little early on but it is turning things around and is now back in the top four.

"But we are giving away few chances on goal and playing solid in attack, and certain players are really on form."

One of those in form is certainly Ronaldo who has scored 31 goals in 26 games for Real this season, including nine in the group stages.

He has also scored in the home and away legs of Real's Champions League last-16 ties in the last two years.

Bale, signed from Tottenham for £85m in September, has been less prolific, but manager Carlo Ancelotti believes the Welshman's long-range strike in the 3-0 win over Elche on Saturday has given him new self-belief.

"He had no confidence before that incredible goal and after it, he played an entirely different game,'' said Ancelotti.

"He played well enough before the goal but fantastic afterward."

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