WARNING

Ward witnessed the battling Italian performance at first hand last week when title favourites Ireland were rocked by the ferocity of the Italian onslaught.

Italy rattled the hot favourites, twice leading and forcing them back over their own line for a try, though they eventually won 28-17, much narrower than expected.

"They are very well organised and hard to beat," warned Ward. "I was surprised by Ireland, they normally come out with all guns blazing, but Italy attacked them with such intensity that it almost overwhelmed them.

"They are very good ball carriers and there's a bit of needle as their props lift their heads up in contact, making it very difficult to stop them.

"It wasn't a good Irish performance, but to highlight their inadequacies does a disservice to how Italy played.

"I believe Italy are now at a stage where they have rebuilt under coach John Kirwan and are capable of pushing every team, even England and France."

But Ward, a dazzling outside half who tormented Wales a decade ago, still believes they can do it tomorrow.

And he joins in the chorus singing the praises of Wales' latest sporting superstar Gavin Henson.

"I think Wales will win it, though they're in for a real dogfight," he said. "But I liked the way Mike Ruddock played down Wales' win against England by saying they didn't play as well as they could and there was room for improvement.

"And Wales are putting together a bit of clout up front now which they haven't had for the past few years, whereas they've always had the talent behind.

"I first saw Gavin playing for Swansea a few years ago and thought he'd got something. He's developing nicely and did his Lions prospects no harm last week.

"You'd settle for just beating England and you'd settle for a win against Italy even if means Henson kicking penalties. But Wales must take the game to them from the start and not let them get into their stride."