Stuart McCloskey believes Ireland are \u201cbuilding something pretty special\u201d but concedes the squad\u2019s confidence levels have dipped in recent times.<\/p>\n
Ireland won successive championship titles in 2023 and 2024 but have struggled against Test rugby\u2019s leading nations during the past 12 months, fuelling suggestions the team is in decline amid a transitional period.<\/p>\n
Ulster centre McCloskey, who produced eye-catching assists for two of Ireland\u2019s three tries against the Azzurri, feels there is \u201cplenty more to come\u201d as attention turns to a Twickenham showdown with England.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t been playing our best rugby,\u201d he said.\u201cOur confidence probably isn\u2019t what it was two or three years ago, if you\u2019re being completely honest about it. But I think we\u2019re building something pretty special.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe squad\u2019s capable of much more than we delivered, definitely against France, and what we delivered (against Italy).<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s plenty more to come from us, I hope. I think we\u2019re doing the right things. We\u2019ve been training well. The attitude\u2019s good.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to see a bit more of it come out on the field and us take a few more of the chances we\u2019re creating but it doesn\u2019t always happen like that. If we keep doing the right things, hopefully good things will happen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
McCloskey was arguably Ireland\u2019s standout performer during a disjointed Aviva Stadium display which could easily have ended with Italy celebrating a draw.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old spun on his knees to set up Jamie Osborne\u2019s opening try but Ireland trailed 10-5 at half-time.<\/p>\n
After Jack Conan\u2019s score levelled matters early in the second period, McCloskey threw a quarterback-esque pass to allow provincial team-mate Robert Baloucoune to cross, before the hosts survived intense late pressure.<\/p>\n
McCloskey said of his assists: \u201cThe first one was great from Jamie following through on that line. We\u2019ve been working on that a lot: guys getting through tackles and offloading.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other one, I think it was penalty advantage \u2013 I hope it was penalty advantage \u2013 and a lot of my attitude, whether here in Ireland or in Ulster, is to get Rob the ball at any stage because he normally does something pretty special.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mess around in the gym a lot with the ball in one hand. It\u2019s something I try to be good at and thankfully it came off.\u201d Ireland\u2019s campaign continues next weekend with a tricky trip to south-west London.<\/p>\n