British & Irish Lions lock Paul O’Connell admits he’s already itching to return to action for Ireland against Italy following last weekend’s defeat to Ireland at Twickenham.
O’Connell, one of nine Lions in the Ireland starting XV, saw his side slip to a 13-10 defeat to England despite fellow Lion Rob Kearney’s 42nd-minute try.
Next up for O’Connell and co is the visit of Italy to Dublin where Ireland will look to make up for last year’s defeat in Rome and get back to winning ways.
This weekend is another rest week however and O’Connell, who captained the Lions in South Africa in 2009, admits he’d be ready to face the Azzurri tomorrow.
"Unfortunately it's a two-week turnaround to the next game. After a game like that you just want to go out and play the following week and erase it from your mind,” he said.
“We're at camp next week in Belfast and we'll review the game and plan for it.
"It will probably be a tough review during the week to try to put that game to bed and move forward. Italy were only narrowly beaten by Scotland by a late drop-goal.
“We are just going to have to focus 100 per cent on getting a result in that game and whatever happens after that happens.”
