Italy coach Jacques Brunel says his side must stop Ireland dictating the tempo of their Six Nations clash if they are to come away from Dublin with a positive result on Saturday.

Italy are looking for a boost following defeats against France and England this season while Ireland lost the only game they played against Wales.

It was the second time in a row the Irish have lost to Wales but Brunel says that doesn’t mean the 2009 Grand Slam winners are past their best.

“No, I don’t think so. It’s true that maybe there are a few players we’ve seen for a while,” said Brunel.

“We know (Paul) O’Connell and (Donncha) O’Callaghan but the back row have been playing for two or three years which means they’re experienced without being very old.

“It’s a team with a lot of potential, they knew how to change it bit by bit and we can see that without (Brian) O’Driscoll and (Ronan) O’Gara who plays less.

“They’ve brought (Jonathan) Sexton back in, they changed the scrum-half a year ago and they’ve modified their team while staying very competitive.

“They could have won just as easily as Wales. They’re two teams who are very close but in the game it went Wales’s way.

“Don’t forget Wales are the Six Nations favourites and they had a great World Cup.

“They (Ireland) are still a complete, physically strong team and they can play in all areas.”

The key for Italy, says Brunel, is to stop Ireland dictating the tempo.

He says they’re very effective at slowing down opposition ball so his team have to find a way to combat that.

“It’s their characteristic, they’re best in this sector, they have the ability not just to get back the ball but also to dictate the rhythm of the match,” said Brunel.