Rugby – Six Nations:Italy coach Nick Mallett is looking for the Azzurri to play the perfect game against Ireland in tomorrow's Six Nations opener at Croke Park (2.30pm).
Mallett has made no changes to the squad that beat Samoa in November for the clash against the Grand Slam champions.
The Azzurri won the final Test of last year against the Samoans 24-6 to end a 13-match winless streak.
“In recent months, I have pointed to a defined group of players,” said Mallett. “Those players in the Test matches in November played good rugby, especially against the All Blacks and Samoa.
“Against Samoa, we collected our first-ever victory.
“I have called on that team that won in Ascoli showing great attitude and courage, despite the absence of (injured captain Sergio) Parisse.
“We also recover two players that are important in Marco Bortolami and Andrea Masi, who will start on Saturday from the bench.”
As Six Nations openers go, Italy’s is very difficult as they will go up against the Grand Slam winners.
“Ireland never lost in 2009,” said Mallett. “They are the defending champions and a team of the highest level.
“I expect a similar game with respect to two years ago at Croke Park, which marked my first as coach of Italy.
“We need to put pressure on their scrum, be efficient in touch and in our foot play but above all, not give anything to them on defence for the entire 80 minutes.”
Two years ago, Italy pushed Ireland before conceding to a 16-11 defeat at Croke Park.
Mallett is embarking on his third Six Nations campaign as coach of Italy with his most challenging task to date.
Coming off a campaign in which the Azzurri suffered five defeats from five for the first time since 2005, the South African has just one victory in his two Six Nations tournaments with the Italians.
The Azzurri will have to overcome the absence of number eight Sergio Parisse, who is out with a knee injury, leaving Leonardo Ghiraldini to serve as captain for the entire tournament.
Mallett is confident Ghiraldini will succeed in his new role.
“Ghiraldini is an athlete that is different from Parisse from a character standpoint,” said Mallett. “He is less extroverted but has a lot of confidence in his means.
“It’s important for Italy to be able to have for the Six Nations a captain like Leonardo, who represents the first choice as number and has practically been a starter since I took over the national team.”
Benetton Treviso’s Alessandro Zanni will replace Parisse at number eight.
The Italians go into the tournament looking to improve after wooden-spoon performances in 2008 and 2009.
They have won just one of their last 10 games in the Six Nations, a 23-20 victory over Scotland in Rome nearly two years ago.