Six Nations: Jack McGrath ready for Italy battle with Ireland

Ireland prop Jack McGrath believes the front row is likely to prove the key to beating Italy in Saturday's Six Nations opener in Rome.

McGrath will go toe-to-toe with Italy's combustible tighthead Martin Castrogiovanni, and he is ready to fight fire with fire at the Stadio Olimpico.

"They really want to shove their scrum in your face," said McGrath. "Their lineout maul too, that's their bread and butter and where they pride themselves the most.

"If we can meet them in that area and maybe go one better that's what we ideally want to do. But it's not just doing it once; it's doing it every time. If you give them a sniff there's massive confidence there.

"And especially at home the crowd is just going to get behind them and really rally them up. So it's up to us as a pack to really get stuck into them early, and turn it around on them.

"They are unbelievably passionate people so it will be really tough. But we'll take them on up front first and foremost. If we can take that away from them then we're a step towards winning the game."

Pressure

McGrath has also backed tighthead Mike Ross to handle the pressure despite recently losing his starting place at Leinster.

"Castro's been there and done that, he has every trick in the book," said McGrath.

"But with Rory (Best) beside me and Rossy on the other side I'm confident we can go in and do a job and cause a bit of damage.

"Mike is looking well, he's an experienced guy, he knows his body and he knows he's ready.

"The coaches have trust in him that even though he maybe hasn't played in the last few weeks he's in position to put it in there, and he's well able for it."