High expectations for Azzurri

Italy captain Sergio Parisse lamented the fact that last year's historic first Six Nations win over France has raised expectations ahead of England's visit to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday.

Italy pulled off a last gasp 22-21 victory over the French thanks to a Mirco Bergamasco penalty at the Stadio Flaminio 12 months ago.

But although the World Cup finalists got ample revenge last week in beating the Azzurri 30-12 in Paris, Parisse feels nonetheless that Italian fans and journalists have forgotten how hard the level of competition is in the Six Nations.

"It was very important beating France at home last year to give a boost to us the players but also the fans and the whole Italian rugby movement," said Parisse, who will captain his country for a record-equalling 37th time on Saturday.

"Last year no one thought we could beat France, they spoke of it being a difficult match.

"No one thought we'd win because they thought France were too good and so they were just hoping we'd play well.

"This year is different, everyone from fans to journalists wants and believes in the possibility that we can beat England.

"It's true we all want this, we make many sacrifices and even though if we have some harsh criticism, we accept it.

"For us it's not enough to play well, we want to move on to our objective as the coach (Jacques Brunel) said and get positive results."

Italy have never beaten England in any game and have also never beaten Ireland in the Six Nations, both milestones Parisse is hoping his side can reach.

"Obviously we have a big responsibility with so many supporters in Rome against a big team," he said.

"But at the same time we know that it's going to be very tough to beat England.

"We know it would be a historic result if we win, of course we're confident but a lot of people think the fact that we're playing at home in a big stadium then we should win.

"But it's not like that. It would be a historic result, right now everyone thinks we can win but it's going to be very, very difficult."

Under Brunel Italy have embarked on an ambitious and expansive new gameplan which is more pleasing on the eye but failed to earn rewards at the Stade de France.

And although this means Italy are less reliant on their much-vaunted forwards, prop Martin Castrogiovanni, who plays for Leicester Tigers in England, is all for the changes.

"My job is always the same, I have to push in the scrums every time," he joked.

"It's good that we touch the ball more, it's more enjoyable, even for a slow prop like me.

"My primary role is to push in the scrum but if we get the ball in hand I'm happy for that.

"Everyone who plays rugby wants to do exactly that rather than just pushing in the scrum."

For Parisse, the pack plays an important role in allowing the backs to express themselves better.

"Everyone knows Castro is slow," he joked. "We're trying this new system but when you play in the backs you can only do so with good work from the forwards.

"The backs are trying to take more responsibility and to get the ball wide and keep it (in hand).

"But as I said after the France match, even after a defeat we prefer to play this way rather than just kicking and defending with the pack.

"We forwards hope to be useful not just in the scrum but also in the open game.

"But we have to be more effective with the ball because we had a lot of possession last week but didn't score many points."

AFP