The Six Nations is back and Ireland are heading off to Rome to take on the fifth-place Italians. Andy Farrell's men have won both of their opening games overcoming Wales and France leaving them as the heavy favourites for Saturday's encounter with the Azzurri. Despite that it's way too early to write off the Italians who are undoubtedly a side on the way up and well capable of causing an upset. Ireland have plenty to play for as well, with second-place Scotland only separated from Ireland by points difference and breathing down their necks.
Thinking about all this has left us reminiscing of this video from an era long gone when Joe Schmidt's Ireland travelled to Rome to take on Italy during his final Six Nations in 2019. Dave Kilcoyne who started that day caught this gem of the team bus police escort on tape, where the driving was more like something from a fast and furious movie than a trip to the Stadio Olimpico. Hopefully, things are a bit easier for Ireland in Rome this time around and they can get the win again on Saturday, provided the team bus actually makes it to the stadium in one piece.
Judging by the video from last time around, things were certainly not being made easy for Ireland over in Rome. The video shows a bus, believed to be occupied by the Ireland rugby team, receiving one of the wildest police escorts you are likely to see.
When you see this video, all you can do is laugh at the effort of the police car.
Irish team bus in Rome #ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/Hk8nCagGo1
— Stem cell transplant to follow (@KarlCarpo) February 23, 2019
This Instagram video actually comes from the story of Ireland player Dave Kilcoyne:
They definitely had a bit of urgency about them. Someone also seems to be waving a small pink mirror for some reason. Fair enough.
Seeing a police car of that size is strange enough, but when we see it zip in and out between the Rome traffic, you start to get the idea of where it might come in handy. The lads in the bus are definitely getting a kick out of their efforts, and I'm sure they appreciate the work that they are putting in. That doesn't make it any less mad though.
SEE ALSO: Our Changed But Experienced Ireland 23 To Take On Italy
