Italy relishing Scottish test

Italy’s team manager Marco Bollesan has pinpointed the Azzuri’s trip to face Scotland at Murrayfield as their most important game of the competition.

Scotland, England and the Italians are all without a point after two rounds of the tournament but Bollesan believes that the fixture will prove to be a clash between two evenly matched teams and dismisses talk of it being a ‘wooden spoon’ decider.

Both sides opened the competition with respectable performances against France and Ireland respectively only for Italy to fall to a disappointing 38-8 defeat at home to Wales and Scotland to capitulate in a 40-13 loss to the Irish.

So all is set for a battle at Murrayfield on February 26 and Bollesan is optimistic that the Azzuri can pick up their first RBS 6 Nations victory away from the Stadio Flaminio.

He said: “I believe the game at Murrayfield will be the most important for us. Never mind winning to avoid the wooden spoon, we have to win and win well.

“I believe Italy and Scotland are in the same level. We played well against the Irish and they did the same against the French.

“But both lost heavily in the last game, so I don’t see so many differences. I know they will play in front their own fans and be willing to get the positive result.

“But for us it doesn’t matter where we play, we have to go there to impose our style, play a great game and win, but win well to give our fans back in Italy great joy with a first away win in the RBS 6 Nations.”

However, the Italians do have injury problems with the loss of flanker Mauro Bergamasco due to a fractured cheekbone a huge blow.

Full-back Roland De Marigny (ankle and knee) could be available for the trip to Scotland and Bollesan has shrugged off any worries by insisting that the squad is strong enough to cope with all eventualities.

He added: “This week has been very busy so far for us. Mauro Bergamasco’s injury has been a huge blow for us, now (coach) John Kirwan has to make tactical decisions about it, but we have a large and good squad so we will find a solution.

“But there is good news for Roland De Marigny as his injury appears to better than what we thought at first.

“De Marigny is another important player for us, especially in kicking situations, when he appeared to be good after Luciano Orquera missed three kicks in the opening game against the Irish.

“But despite all these problems, we are in good shape, also the squad is composed from 25-30 strong players so we will be able to send onto the pitch our best team.”