Defence key for Parisse as Italians look to regain pride

ITALY will try to prove to others and themselves that they merit a place in the RBS 6 Nations following their “disastrous” defeat to England a fortnight ago.

Fresh off a narrow home loss to Ireland in their tournament opener, the Azzurri were ripped to shreds at Twickenham.

Nick Mallett’s men lost 59-13 and will try to banish the memory of that humiliation when they take on Wales today at Rome’s Stadio Flaminio.