Keith Wood
Former Ireland hooker on BBC One

"This is the most amazing place to come. We were here two years ago when Italy beat France, and then Ireland, and the atmosphere was extraordinary. It's turned into the must-see place on the rugby itinerary."

You'll find all sorts of characters lurking around the Stadio Olimpico, but the early afternoon drinking seems to have taken its toll on Snow White.

Frankly she looks like she could do with the vitamin C in that apple in the Wicked Witch's basket,

"The spirit of rugby!" tweets Sandro Lucci , externalon Instagram.

Italy lost all five of their Six Nations matches last season and it has not got a lot better.

Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Argentina, and South Africa have all chalked up wins over the Italians since then.

They have won only one of their last 11.

Image source, BBC Sport

Italy are usually tough opponents on home soil on the opening weekend - but winning their first Six Nations match has almost become a matter of routine for the Irish.

They've won 10 of 15 first-round Tests, including nine of their last 10. It's no wonder Paul O'Connell has been smiling in training.

Image source, PA

These words not enough for you?

Don't worry, no offence taken. I quite understand.

Fortunately live coverage from Rome is just starting up thanks to the good people of BBC One. BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and BBC Radio Ulster will also be broadcasting from the city of seven hills.

And you can tune into any of those without even leaving this page. Simply scroll to the top of the page and click on the play button for telly and the live coverage tab for the wireless.

By the way, neither of the characters above is on broadcast duties.

A bit of breaking news for you.

It turns out that World Rugby big wigs were among the millions of television viewers concerned to see Wales wing George North play on after two whacks to the head.

The second, an accidental clash with Mike Brown, saw him fold to the floor with limbs limp by his sides.

"Having undertaken an initial review of the broadcast footage, World Rugby is seeking to establish from the WRU whether all concussion management protocols were appropriately followed," read a World Rugby statement., external

Wales coach Warren Gatland has backed his medical team's assessment by the way.

Ireland's 2014 Six Nations averages were far superior to that of Italy's, as you might expect from the team which went on to win the title. Last year, Ireland scored more tries, kicked more goals, accumulated more points, made more carries and won more turnovers than the Azzurri.

We could go on...

The morning after the night before in Cardiff and Chris Robshaw is still fulfilling autograph requests.

The England captain shook plenty of hands and posed for countless selfies in the aftermath of his side's win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium last night.

His on-field leadership has been questioned, but as an off-field ambassador he is second to none.

The sort of gent that you would be pleased to see your sister bring home.

Image source, @RFU

Image source, James Gallagher

James Gallagher: , externalWatching with my twins. Their first #SixNations #friendlyrivalry , external

Billy Vunipola has pretty much won the friendly rivalry hashtag game already.

The England number eight posted a picture last night of his cousin and Welsh counterpart Taulupe Faletau sandwiched between him and his brother Mako.

"Win or lose, family comes first," he tweeted., external

Image source, @Bvunipola

We also want to see where you are watching today's match from.

We will be allocating points in the style of the old I-Spy books.

Five points for a pint of the black stuff in shot, 15 for some sort of leprechaun get-up and a full 50 for full Roman centurion garb.

Tweet your photos to #friendlyrivalry , externaland we will get the best up in lights on this very page.

So, here is your poser for Saturday lunchtime...

Is Schmidt the best coach in the Six Nations?

Or did Stuart Lancaster's second-half switcheroo in Cardiff last night sway you to his camp?

Or are you a paid-up disciple of Vern Cotter's new Scottish dawn?

Or might Warren Gatland have the last laugh come World Cup time?

Give us a holler on #bbc6nations , externalon Twitter, via the BBC Sport Facebook, external page, or on 81111 on the old-school text message and have your say.

Image source, Getty Images

And, just for extra, Joe Schmidt oversaw Ireland's win over Australia in November when he should have been having his appendix removed.

He even did a post-match interview, before popping off to St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin and having the little blighter extracted.

Paul O'Connell's assessment of his coach's mood: ""He was as normal stand-offish."

What a guy.

Image source, Getty Images

The softly-spoken Kiwi steered Leinster to back-to-back Heineken Cup triumphs in some style before taking on the national team job in April 2013.

Less than a year later and Ireland edged out France to win in Paris for only the second time in 42 years and clinch the Six Nations.

And they have not lost since.

A pair of wins over Argentina in the summer were followed by victories over South Africa and Australia in the autumn.

They are now up to third in the World Rugby rankings.

Could those dark horses finally be worth putting your World Cup stake on?

Image source, Getty Images

Defending champions, but dark horses.

Ireland in recent years have been defined by what they haven't won. Not what they have.

Despite a stellar generation, led by now-retired Brian O'Driscoll, last year's Six Nations triumph was only their second since the tournament was expanded back in 2000.

They have never been beyond the last eight of a World Cup.

Boss Joe Schmidt is not a man to stand for such underachievement.