Parisse relishing England challenge

Italy will not be intimidated by England when the two sides meet in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations game in Rome, according to team captain Sergio Parisse.

Both sides go into the game at a packed Stadio Flaminio on the back of defeats in their openers.

The Azzurri are well aware of the challenge they face against Brian Ashton’s side, the only European team they have failed to beat in a Test match.

But with Ashton’s team struggling with an injury crisis with five players unavailable following their 26-19 setback against Wales, this could be an opportunity for the Italians to make history.

“We have a great game against a top team like England coming up,” said Parisse on Saturday.

“We know it’s going to be very hard but I have told my team-mates we are not mediocre players, we will go out on the pitch with only one aim and this is to win.”

Italy lost 16-11 in their opener in Dublin in what was coach Nick Mallett’s first game in charge.

Mallett had mixed emotions about his team’s performance against Ireland and hopes his side can show an improvement come Sunday.

“There were lots of positives that we could take after that game,” said Mallett. “But as a coach I have to look at the mistakes we made and try to improve our game.

“There are things we very badly need to improve on.”

The approach Mallett wants his players to take is to concentrate on themselves and the Azzurri game-plan instead of worrying about beating last year’s World Cup runners-up.

“We have tried to focus on our game and not focus on our opponents,” said the England-born coach. “I haven’t been long with this team and I want to focus on them rather than on England.

“It’s important that we get our game right.

“Possession is vital, we had that against Ireland and we have to do that again against England. We also have to avoid making mistakes, too – that will be very important.”

Mallett is nevertheless satisfied with the talent he has at his disposal.

“Having watched the Six Nations for the past four or five years, I knew Italy’s strengths and weaknesses before accepting to coach the team,” he said.

“I knew when I came we had a big challenge to replace (retired Alessandro) Troncon and to find a number 10 of international level.

“We’ve only had one game but I am very happy with the work done by Andrea Masi and Pietro Travagli. I am also satisfied with Sergio as captain.”

Parisse was selected by Mallett to replace Marco Bortolussi as skipper.

The 24-year-old cannot wait to play his national team’s fist game at home this season.

“For us it’s a pleasure to play at home,” he said. “We will have plenty of support in the stands and it’s going to be beautiful to see the Flaminio Stadium packed.

“I think we have earned this support with our victories in the past and we hope to get a good result on Sunday for our fans.

“There’s a good atmosphere in the team.”