Italy captain Sergio Parisse said the Azzurri are ready to “spit blood” in a bid to hand defending champions Ireland their second successive Stadio Olimpico defeat when the sides meet in the Six Nations rugby tournament on Saturday.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has been forced to make several changes to the side that won last year’s title, with Brian O’Driscoll (retired), Andrew Trimble, Johnny Sexton, Jamie Heaslip, Cian Healy and Dave Kearney all missing from his squad.

Ireland proved there was life after ‘BOD’ by winning all three of their November Tests, which included victories over South Africa (29-15) and Australia (26-23).

But Ireland’s enforced changes mean their starting XV on Saturday will boast 186 fewer combined caps than a hugely experienced Italy, who claim they are ready to consign last year to the dust bin.

Italy finished with the wooden spoon last year and enter this year’s tournament with only one win, against Samoa, to boast from a disastrous 2014 that included ten defeats.

But while Parisse has hailed Ireland’s strength, he claims Italy have fine-tuned a tactical plan – and will count on grit and determination to do the rest as they look to repeat their 2013 feat when they beat the Irish 22-15 in the capital.

“In tactical terms we’ve prepared for the match in the right way. But you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out how,” Parisse told media following Italy’s captain’s run at the Olimpico on Friday.

“The lads’ hunger is satisfying for me to see. If they (Ireland) play at only 70 per cent (capacity), for sure they will lose. But we have to give it 110 per cent.

“You will see that all 23 of us are ready to spit blood to win this match.”

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell admits the enforced absences in the squad and the introduction of new faces like fly-half Ian Keatley and Jordi Murphy has led to a slightly “different vibe” in the dressing room.

But O’Connell the return of Sean O’Brien to the starting XV, the British and Irish Lions flanker replacing the injured Jamie Heaslip (shoulder), has added a welcome boost.

“I’m sure he’s going to be really enthusiastic to take on a big workload as he always is, he’s a fantastic ball-carrier, a fantastic tackler, very good on the ground as well,” the skipper said.

“I think it’s important that we take that workload off him and let him find his way into the game as well.”