Ireland coach Declan Kidney has said that Italy are longer an easy team to beat.
Ireland face the Azzurri in the Six Nations on Saturday following their loss to Wales and the postponement of their match with France.
"The fact the Italian players have been in the RaboDirect [PRO12] for the last two years has stood them in good stead. Their match fitness has come on an awful lot," Kidney said.
"You might not have said it two or three years ago, but at the back of your mind you knew that if you stayed with them for 65-70 minutes, you'd have it over them in the last ten.
"But that certainly isn't the case anymore, so it will be an 80-minute Test match."
Ireland's match with France has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 4.
