Ireland back row Jack Conan says Italy are "so close to getting a few big scalps" as the sides prepare to meet in the Six Nations in Dublin on Sunday.

Italy also pushed Ireland close in Rome last year, ultimately falling to a 30-24 defeat, while they stunned Wales in Cardiff in 2022.

"Italy play with so much passion and emotion and they're now bringing that accuracy as well," said Conan.

"They're so close to getting a few big scalps. You can see it when they play.

"They were unlucky against England but we've got to do everything in our power to stop them."

While Ireland are favourites for this weekend's match at the Aviva Stadium encounter, Italy showed quality against England with Alessandro Garbisi and Tommaso Allan tries giving the Azzurri hope of a famous win.

"They're a quality side and they play a really good brand of rugby. They throw it around a lot and aren't afraid to play out from anywhere," Conan said of Italy, who will be without injured flanker Sebastian Negri.

"It's definitely a different challenge than France, because they probably went back to being a bit pragmatic and kicking it a lot more. Italy will take any opportunity to play out when they can.

"We're nearly expecting a tougher defensive challenge this weekend than what we had previously so we're going to have to be on it from minute one."

Conan keen to take opportunities after injuries

Conan is pushing to start after coming off the bench in the second half of Ireland's bonus-point win over France in Marseille on Friday.

The 31-year-old started all three British and Irish Lions Tests against South Africa in 2021 but faces stiff competition for starts in Ireland's back row from the likes of Caelan Doris, Peter O'Mahony and Josh van der Flier.

"Sometimes you don't need to go up and say your piece or have a word, it's just about taking the opportunities when they come," Conan said, when asked if he is knocking on Andy Farrell's door asking for more game time.

"I was unfortunate with knocks and stuff over the World Cup that I didn't get as much game time as I would have liked.

"Now it's about taking the opportunities when they come. Even now, when I've been around for a few years, you still want to have those conversations because you want to get better."

He added: "The standard of players is too high here for anyone to say 'I don't need to have those conversations or focus on what I need to improve on'.

"When you're not on it, there are so many good players in the squad, especially in the back row, who can come in and do a good job. Faz [Farrell] is more than happy to make calls like that so you need to be on it when you get your opportunity."