Stephen Ferris urges Ireland to wise up

Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris insists the transformation of the Aviva Stadium into a fortress must begin by defeating Italy tomorrow to improve a record of six defeats in nine games since returning to their rebuilt home at Lansdowne Road in November 2010.

Italy, who lost 15-19 at home to England, have the chance to make it a fourth successive loss for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium although the absence of prop Martin Catrogiovanni with a broken rib makes that even more unlikely.

Ferris is taking a different view of the Dublin record stating: "New Zealand are the only team who have really beaten us, in the rest of the games we probably beat ourselves," said the 26-year-old.

"We need to be a bit smarter and when we do have our foot on opponents' throats, we should keep it there."

Ireland, whose last game with France was cancelled due to a frozen pitch played Italy twice last year, winning on both. In Rome the Irish needed a late Ronan O'Gara drop-goal to escape with a 13-11 victory, while at the World Cup they emerged 36-6 winners.