Few will forget Italia '90, a wonderful occasion in Irish soccer that inspired and captivated a nation for the duration of the soccer World Cup. One lingering off-field memory is a picture of Charlie O'Leary during an audience with the Pope in the Vatican.

Ireland play their opening Six Nations Championship match in Rome on Saturday week and will have the option of following Jack Charlton's soccer squad. Warren Gatland's squad is currently considering an option to attend the weekly nondenominational audience with Pope John Paul II. It takes place every Wednesday and with the Irish squad flying out to Rome on the Tuesday, it has become an option for the players and management alike.

Now while the Irish squad wouldn't mind a little assistance in trying to beat Italy on the rugby pitch, it should be remembered that after visiting the Pope in 1990 Jack Charlton's men promptly went out and were beaten 1-0 by Italy in the quarter-finals.