They share the same New Zealand heritage but the contrast could not be more pronounced. Where Brad Johnstone was authoritarian and blunt, his successor as coach to the Italian national rugby team, John Kirwan, exudes affability, his relaxed demeanour ahead of his side's Six Nations Championship match against Ireland at Stadio Flaminio today, striking.

At yesterday's press conference he switched between English and Italian, good-naturedly correcting the interpreter on a couple of occasions.

His familiarity with the Italian way of life probably explains why his face creased with laughter when he revealed his tenure as national team coach was based on a verbal agreement. When asked whether he felt the victory over Wales would guarantee him a couple of years in the job, minimum, and a possible extension to his contract, Kirwan responded: "No, not really."

"In our job you don't expect anything. Tomorrow's another day. I'm not concerned. I have got confidence in the staff, the players and confidence in the work that we are doing. This type of work needs time before we can fully see the benefits. I don't think I've got one (a contract).

"They do things differently over here. I don't worry about things that are outside my control."

The light-hearted exchange epitomised Kirwan's relaxed manner throughout. A pragmatist, he refused to speculate on the outcome of today's clash.

"We don't talk about winning or losing; we talk about the quality of football we want to play on the paddock. All we can do is produce the same passion and spirit we showed last week and if the Irish are better than us then so be it. If we arrive with the same passion then it is going to be a good game of football."