Parisse hails gritty Italians

Italy captain Sergio Parisse insisted his side should have no regrets after their narrow defeat to Ireland yesterday.

A battling performance saw the Azzurri fall just five points short of the Irish in their RBS 6 Nations opener before 76,000 fans at Croke Park.

“Yes there were errors in some of what we did but we don’t have any regrets,” Parisse insisted after his side’s promising display.

“We felt that we should have won the game in the second half. Ireland were leading 16-11 at that point. I feel that they were showing that they were scared of losing at that stage.”

Italy’s lone try scorer felt his side could have done further damage to Eddie O’Sullivan’s men after kicker Ronan O’Gara missed a penalty in the 32nd minute.

“When O’Gara missed that shot we decided that we were really going to give 100% of ourselves,” Parisse revealed.

“We decided that if we kept going until the very last minute and played with heart and soul we could do it.”

Italy coach Nick Mallett saw plenty of encouraging aspects in his team’s performance to take into the England game next weekend.

“There were lots of positives we can take out of the game. I thought our line-out was outstanding. Our physicality around the ruck and maul was very good and we scored a great try and our control of the drive was good,” he said.

“I thought when we tried our reaction was good and some of the supply of the ball was better than I expected.

“I was very proud of the way they handled it and didn’t concede too many penalties and only conceded one try.

“We were still in the game and that is very important for this Italian team - to remain in the game for as long as possible.”

Mallett is well aware, however, that a stern challenge lies ahead in the Stadio Flaminio next Sunday.

“England is a different challenge. England’s pack, with respect to Ireland’s pack, is probably a lot better,” he said.

“So our pack will probably be under a lot of pressure.

“England have lots of players to choose from but we only have 22 or 23 players to take me through this Six Nations.”

Mallett was particularly pleased with the performances of 26-year-olds Andrea Masi and Pietro Travagli in Dublin.

“I think if you have a scrum-half who is kicking well, it’s better to have him kicking at number 10,” Mallett said of Biarritz back Masi.

“I think as he develops as a fly-half he will have more confidence in his kicking game but I wouldn’t worry about our kicking game.

“I think both Pietro and Masi had big games. Masi’s defence was great and his ball handling and passing and his communication, along with Pietro’s covering and his defending, was great.

Mallett added: “For a first Test match against Ireland at Croke Park, we are very proud of them.”