Jack McGrath is steeling himself for an epic battle in the pack against Italy on Saturday.
The Leinster and Ireland prop will start the Six Nations opener in Rome and comes up against a vastly experienced front row including Martin Castrogiovanni - the owner of over 100 test caps.
Speaking to Off The Ball's Dave McIntyre, McGrath said that a lot of work has gone into preparing for the war up front.
"We've been doing a lot of prep, video work on the scrum and maul so it's definitely an area where we're going to have to take them on first and foremost because that's where they pride themselves. If we can take that away from them from the start, we're a step away from winning the game," he said, adding that Castrogiovanni's experience means he will know every trick in the book.
"I've been watching him for years. He's the guy, if you're a young tighthead, you would look towards. There's respect there but you're going to have to go in and make him respect you."
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