Parisse vows to end nightmare run

ITALY captain Sergio Parisse says the Azzurri can end their horror run of Six Nations defeats when they meet Wales at the Stadio Olimpico this afternoon.

Conor O’Shea’s men have lost their last 18 tournament matches and have not won a game in the competition since 2015. But their iconic No8 remains upbeat.

“I am really confident because I have seen a lot of great work from the team during training in the week,” said Parisse, the veteran of 135 caps.

“We go into the game with belief, but the most important thing is us being in the match for the whole 80 minutes against a big side in Wales, who are fourth in the world. They won in France not playing their best rugby. France conceded some very easy tries, but we know Wales are a very dangerous side.”

Parisse rejected any notion that Wales’ decision to make 10 changes for the Stadio Olimpico clash has opened the door for a shock Italian victory.

The Azzurri have beaten Wales twice on home soil, the most recent 12 years ago following victory in 2003. But Parisse said: “From the point of view of a player, it is a dangerous mindset to be in if you are more motivated to face a side who have made changes. That is not a good place to be.

“It doesn’t matter whether Wales have made 10, 15 or three changes. We must be at our best to beat them.” CONFIDENT:

Parisse