Italy can’t afford to switch off
SERGIO Parisse has underlined the need for Italy to produce an 80-minute performance when they begin their RBS 6 Nations campaign today.
The Azzurri have won just 12 of their 85 Six Nations Tests and been tournament wooden spoonists 11 times, with most pundits again predicting a sixth-placed finish this time around.
Opening opponents Wales have also inflicted their fair share of misery in recent seasons, winning the last two Six Nations encounters between the countries by topping 60 points each time.
Italy skipper Parisse and his opposite number at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend, lock Alun Wyn Jones, are the only starting XV survivors from the Azzurri’s last victory over Wales 10 years ago.
But Parisse and company enter the tournament revitalised by a new coaching team of Conor O’Shea, Mike Catt and Brendan Venter, with added confidence generated by a historic victory over South Africa less than three months ago.
“Alun Wyn Jones was there when we beat Wales in 2007 but now the two teams are very different,” said Parisse.
“There is no link between the two games. I am happy to remember that day because of the great result but it is now in the past.
“We have to be positive, and we are happy to begin another Six Nations campaign against Wales.
“This year, we have prepared for Wales in a different way. It’s different to the way we prepared against South Africa and Tonga in November. We have trained very hard physically this week, and worked as hard as we can for this game.
“We deserve to be in this tournament because of the results we have had in the Six Nations.”