Six Nations: ‘Likelihood isn’t great’ for Irish title says Hugo Keenan before Italian finale

Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan says the side want to make sure they have “no regrets” come the end of the Six Nations.

Simon Easterby’s side finish their campaign against Italy in Rome on Saturday afternoon knowing that they need a victory and results elsewhere to go their way if they are to win the title for the third year in succession.

No longer in control of their own destiny after last weekend’s loss to France in Dublin, Keenan is hoping Ireland can at least put the pressure on England and Les Bleus in the final day’s later kick-offs.

“We’re just looking after what we can control,” said the 28-year-old.

“Likelihood isn’t great [for a title win] but we want to know that we have no regrets, that we’ve done all we can and gotten the performance that we’re chasing.

“Hopefully there’ll be some nervous watching.”

Wins over England, Scotland and Wales to start the campaign mean Ireland have already won the Triple Crown but Keenan believes they are a better side than they have shown across the whole campaign.

“There’s been good performances, but consistently over the Six Nations we know there’s a lot more in us,” he added.

“Can we take not only the learnings from France but the other games and put it all together?

“It’s exciting because [Italy is] a tough place to go.”