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Brex: Italy determined to finish Championship in “best possible way”

Anthony Watson and Juan Ignacio Brex 13/2/2021
Juan Ignacio Brex has urged his Italy teammates to finish the 2021 Guinness Six Nations in the best possible way by defeating Scotland on Super Saturday.

Juan Ignacio Brex has urged his Italy teammates to finish the 2021 Guinness Six Nations in the best possible way by defeating Scotland on Super Saturday.

The Azzurri go into their final game of the Championship winless after following up defeats to France, England and Ireland with a 48-7 loss to Wales last time out.

Scotland have also lost their last two Guinness Six Nations games to Ireland and France after opening their campaign with a famous victory against England at Twickenham.

And while it has been a difficult Championship so far for Franco Smith’s men, Brex is confident the visitors can come away from BT Murrayfield with the right result with a few improvements.

“The concentration is high with the focus on our performance and on the aspects of the game that we can improve,” said Brex, who made his Italy debut against France in Round 1.

“The goal is to close the tournament in Scotland in the best possible way and to achieve victory.

“We will face a team that has players like [Stuart] Hogg in their squad who make speed one of their best weapons.”

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And speaking about his regular inclusion in the team, Brex added: “I found an environment, between staff and players, that allowed me to work at my best from day one.”

Italy skipper Luca Bigi felt there were a lot of promising signs from Italy against Grand Slam-chasing Wales but said the players must be more consistent over 80 minutes.

“The group has an important integrity and it is up to the most experienced players to make them feel even more united,” said the Azzurri captain after the defeat to Wales.

“It is not hiding behind the obvious. We will meet as a group once again to relate to this match and prepare a Six Nations week for another chance [against Scotland].

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“The team dared a lot, imposed our own game, and took risks, also losing important balls. In attack, however, we created without realising, as happened on other occasions.

“We weren’t consistent throughout the 80 minutes and teams like Wales manage to punish the lack of concentration. But we haven’t been turned off.”