O’Shea cuts mustard, says legend Parisse

YOU can’t but admire the smiling way Conor O’Shea (below) has claimed the poison chalice that is the ever-struggling Italy rugby team.

Then again, you shouldn’t be surprised by his zest for the fight.

Long before he took flight for London in the mid-90s, he went by the nickname ‘Mustard’ – so keen was he as a player to improve.

The task now is to spread his ‘keen as’ message throughout a country that has won just a dozen of its 85 Six Nations games.

Legendary skipper Sergio Parisse is already a fan – and a first-ever win over South Africa had an immediate effect on O’Shea’s revolution.

‘When he arrived, he understood quickly the situation,’ said Parisse. ‘Conor has this vision to work the Italian team but also work Italian rugby.’

In time, O’Shea might be able to communicate his message better – his pidgin Italian reveals he still finds the language a struggle.

‘It is important I buy into the culture I’m in. I want to learn the language and I’m trying but it’s still brutal...

‘I’ve had some very interesting coffees come my way when I have asked for them,’ he jested. The breakthrough against the Boks hasn’t changed his initial outlook. ‘No one’s delusional how hard a job this is going to be. ‘But this is a country steeped in the history of the game and we have to make sure Italian rugby grows and we nurture it, not just let it wither and die.’ Italy face Wales today and Ireland next week with players from a poor Zebre side in their pack. But Parisse said of his side: ‘There are players of good quality, I promise you.’ The 33-year-old is on board through to 2019’s World Cup but O’Shea hopes the talisman extends his commitment to the national team. ‘I’ve been talking to him about 2023 because he will still be younger than Peter Stringer. He’s going to be around. His enthusiasm is an example for anyone,’ said O’Shea. Keen as mustard, just like O’Shea.