IRELAND flanker Shane Jennings believes his team’s Stadio Flaminio escape act in February proves victory over Italy in Sunday’s high-stakes World Cup showdown must not be taken for granted.

The Irish have prevailed in the last 15 meetings between the Pool C rivals dating back to 1997 and are 1/10 favourites to claim the win they need to reach the quarter-finals.

But this year’s RBS Six Nations issued a timely reminder that the Azzurri remain a threat after only a late Ronan O’Gara drop-goal prevented a first defeat to the Italians in the competition.

“Everybody in the Irish camp realises we didn’t deserve to win that Six Nations game, but we did and these things happen,” said Jennings.

“It was a pretty even game. We set ourselves up for that drop-goal at the end.

“I don’t know really why it happened but we underperformed that day.

“We knew what we were heading into. It’s always very difficult in Rome.

“If you give them ball like we did that day, they can do damage and it was a very even game. We’re expecting the same this weekend.”

Defeat will almost certainly see Ireland depart the World Cup, though if they were to lose while securing two bonus points they would be reprieved.

“We’re very realistic, certainly not over-confident, but we know we have the ability to win,” said the Leinster openside.

“You have to back up the words with a performance.”