'If we can get our hands on him and rough him up a bit that would help us' - Hansen on Italy flyer Capuozzo

Mack Hansen says Ireland have done their homework on Italy star Ange Capouzzo and will try to "rough him up".

The French-born full-back burst onto the scene last season setting up the Azzurri's winning score against Wales as they ended a 36-match losing streak in the Guinness Six Nations.

The 23-year-old Toulouse player scored two tries as Kieran Crowley’s side beat Australia last autumn and got on the scoresheet in their narrow defeat to France in round one.

He features prominently in four of the Six Nations statistics tables: defenders beaten (20, including 17 v England), carries (27), metres made (241) and offloads (4) after two rounds.

"He’s just quick, he's an eyes-up player so I think if we can get our hands on him and rough him up a bit that would help us," said Hansen when asked about Italy’s key man ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Rome (2.15pm live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1)

"He’s not the world’s biggest player but he’s so quick that we’re probably going to have hunt in threes to take care of him.

"But when it comes to it, we’re going to have to focus on every player in that backline as well. They’re all super-quick whippets.

"I’ve done a little bit of footage on him. He’ll be dangerous but no, [we’re] ready for him."

Australia-born Hansen, who made his Irish debut in last season's Six Nations and will win cap number 12 if he plays against Italy, says this is the best Italian side in years.

"Yeah, anyone would be kidding themselves if they said they’ve seen a better one," he said.

"They got a great win in Wales, and Oz.

"They’ve been pretty unlucky against France, showed up in Twickenham against England which everyone knows isn’t easy at all.

"I think they’ve just sure of what kind of game they want to play where