Sergio Parisse has warned his Italian teammates that they will need to hit the ground running this autumn if they are to halt their recent slide.
The Azzurri finished bottom of the table in the 2014 RBS 6 Nations and then this summer went winless in a three-Test tour of the South Pacific.
That summer tour included defeat against Samoa, their opening opponents this autumn before welcoming both Argentina and South Africa.
And Parisse, who skippers an Italian squad that includes new faces New Zealand-born Kelly Haimona and Fijian Samuela Vunisa, wants his side to set the record straight.
“It was a heavy defeat away to Samoa and it’s not going to be necessarily any easier this time,” he said.
“They’re a strong side, so it’s crucial for us to start this Test series off on a positive note before the more difficult challenge of taking on Argentina and South Africa.
“For sure, they (Haimona and Vunisa) are both happy and proud to be selected to the Italy squad. It means the coach feels they have the necessary attributes.
“But international rugby is harder than club level rugby. I’m sure they’ll be given a chance to show what they can do in the upcoming Test series and hopefully they will take it with both hands.”
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