Preview: Argentina v Italy
It starts with a clash against Argentina in Santa Fe on Saturday.
The former Ireland fullback will bring new ideas and plenty of experience to the national team.
O'Shea was appointed as Harlequins Director of Rugby in 2009 and he went on to win the European Challenge Cup with them in 2011 and the Premiership title in 2012. He has left the club with a good platform for the future after guiding them to the European Challenge Cup Final this season.
Italy came calling after they finished last in this year's Six Nations, losing all five games – which resulted in former coach Jacques Brunel being sacked. It was in March that O'Shea was named as the new coach.
O'Shea told the Italian Rugby Federation website that he is looking forward to working with the national team.
"As I said when I announced that I would be leaving, I feel the end of this season is the right time for me to take on a new challenge," O'Shea said.
"And I am honoured, humbled and excited that I will be working with everyone in Italian rugby to ensure they can achieve on the undoubted potential they have as a rugby nation.
"I spent many years in the 1990s playing against a great Italian side, and I know there is the ability and will within this current group of players and the FIR to ensure that the current team can become the best Italian team in its history."
Italian federation president Alfredo Gavazzi said: "The appointment of this new head coach, his assistant and the head of training is a crucial turning point for the Italian Rugby Federation."
Meanwhile, Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade has kept faith with the same squad that featured in last year's World Cup.
Skipper Agustín Creevy will form a formidable front row alongside Santiago García Botta and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro while Left wing Manuel Montero makes a welcome return to the Argentina run on side after being ruled out of last year's World Cup due to a knee injury.
O'Shea has handed the captains armband to scrumhalf Edoardo Gori while Zebre back Tommaso Boni will make his starting debut at inside centre.
Sergio Parisse has been 'rested' for this clash which sees Andries van Schalkwyk selected to start in the number eight jersey. Carlo Canna starts at flyhalf and Ornel Gega slots in at hooker for his third cap.
Calvisano prop Sami Panico could make his debut after being named on the bench for Saturday.
"It's been very nice to work with the players, and skills within this team are huge," said O'Shea.
"Now we must work hard to execute them in the coming weeks, months and years, but also encourage the players to put them into practice in every minute of every game, from beginning to end."
Argentina come into this game sitting on fifth position in the world rankings while Italy are ranked at 14th according to the latest World Rugby rankings which were updated on Monday.
Players to watch:
For Argentina: The halfback combination of Nicolás Sánchez and Martin Landajo share a good understanding and they will both take the ball to the line and look to test the opposition defence. Sánchez was the star of last year's World Cup, setting up counter attacks at every opportunity and kicking the points for his team when called on. Joaquín Tuculet is another one to watch out for. The fullback has put in some impressive performances for the Jaguares in this year's Super Rugby tournament. Tuculet possesses incredible offloading and stepping abilities which has left would be tacklers grasping at thin air on many occasions and Italy can dare afford to kick too deep with Tuculet covering at the back.
For Italy: Leonardo Sarto is a big powerful wing who will make the tackles on defence and look to give his team front foot ball with some powerful carries. Flank Abraham Steyn has impressed at Benetton Treviso with his work at the breakdown and he will hope to secure Italy quick ball on Saturday. Michele Campagnaro is pure pace and power and he has good tactical awareness on defence. Los Pumas will have to close down the space in the midfield if they hope to keep the hard working centre quiet.
Head to head: The scrum should be an interesting battle with loosehead prop Santiago García Botta up against opposite number Andrea Lovotti while Agustín Creevy will do battle with hooker Ornel Gega. The battle at the breakdown will be a good contest with flanker Tomás Lezana and Simone Favaro looking to secure front foot ball for their respective teams, however the real match-up looks to be at number eight with Facundo Isa taking on Andries van Schalkwyk in what is sure to be a real physical tussle between the two.
Recent results:
2014: Argentina won 20-18, Genoa
2013: Argentina won 19-14, Rome
2012: Argentina won 37-22, San Juan
2010: Argentina won 22-16, Verona
2008: Argentina won 22-14, Rome
2008: Italy won 13-12, Cordoba
2007: Argentina won 24-6, Mendoza
2006: Argentina won 23-16, Rome
2005: Argentina won 39-22, Genoa
2005: Italy won 30-29, Cordoba
Prediction: With a new coach at the helm and some new players being given an opportunity in this match, Italy will be dangerous opponents, but considering that Argentina are playing at home and with the experience in their squad they should be able to win this one by at least 12 points.
Teams:
Argentina: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy (captain), 1 Santiago García Botta.
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Felipe Arregui, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Javier Ortega Desio, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 23 Ramiro Moyano.
Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Tommaso Boni, 11 David Odiete, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Andries van Schalkwyk, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Abraham Steyn, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Ornel Gega, 1 Andrea Lovotti
Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Sami Panico, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Valerio Bernabò, 20 Robert Barbieri, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Giovanbattista Venditti
Date: Saturday, June 11
Venue: Brigadier López Stadium, Santa Fe
Kick-off: 15.45 (20.45 Italian time; 18.45 GMT)
Expected weather: It will be mostly sunny with a high of 13.
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Joaquín Montes (Uruguay)
By Josh Isaacson
@rugby365com
