After a disappointing RBS 6 Nations campaign for the Azzurri – losing all five of their Championship matches and picking up their 12th Wooden Spoon – they will be licking their wounds ahead of their summer tour Down Under.
Head coach Conor O’Shea endured a tough time during his first Championship in charge as his side conceded over 200 points throughout their five defeats.
But O’Shea, who guided Aviva Premiership side Harlequins to a maiden title in 2012, will have to rejuvenate his side before they face stern test in the southern hempisphere.
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And the Irishman is well aware of the task at hand for his coaching team that included Mike Catt and Brendan Venter.
“I’m a positive person, I always see the glass half-full. But I’m not stupid, I’m not going to waste time,” said O’Shea.
“I have faith in this squad, and I’m convinced we can become a great team. But the investment has to be made in the interests of the national team.
“It’s easy to make these changes, provided you want to. Will it be difficult? Yes but it’s doable and it has to be done.
“I’m even more determined, we have to change the system.” After being convincingly beaten in Edinburgh by the high-flying Scots in Round Five of the Championship, Italy may have the chance to avenge their latest defeat as there is a possibility of the sides meeting in Australia in early June.
Italy and Scotland could meet in the southern hemisphere before the respective sides travel further afield.
Following that potential fixture, Italy travel to Suva to take on Fiji – a side ranked five places above them in World Rugby rankings – in ANZ National Stadium.
Italy have never won in Fiji and Conor O’Shea will be hoping to end their losing streak in Suva against the Flying Fijians.
The sides last met in June 2014 where Fiji ran out 25-14 winners in a tight contest in the Fijian capital.
In the Azzurri’s final test of the summer, they will travel to Brisbane to take on the Wallabies – a side they have never beaten – at Suncorp Stadium.
Italy have lost all 16 of their meetings with Australia, dating back to 1983 but the sides have not met since 2013 when Australia ran out comfortable 50-20 winners in Turin.
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