New Italy coach Conor O’Shea has challenged his team to make history by beating Wales for the first time in a decade on Sunday.
The Irishman is determined to see Italy improve their competitiveness as they look to avoid a third successive Six Nations thrashing by Wales.
With heavy rain forecast in Rome, O’Shea will be taking charge of the Azzurri for the first time in the tournament and has to try and stem a torrent of points they conceded under previous coach Jacques Brunel.
Italy were competitive in a World Cup warm-up game in September 2015, going down 23-19 in Cardiff, but their last two Six Nations encounters against Wales have ended with 60-21 and 67-14 hidings.
Wales have not been beaten by Italy since 2007 but former Harlequins coaching director O’Shea is staying focused on what his own side can produce rather than admitting any fear of the opposition.
“We know that the last two games against them have been very difficult for us, but we focus on ourselves, on the work to be done,” said former Harlequins coach O’Shea, who oversaw a notable victory over South Africa during their autumn campaign.
“We have to impose our game plan on them, and at the end of the 80 minutes we will see. We want a great, great performance this weekend to make everyone understand that we are on the right track.
“We are changing, and it is possible to change our history.
“We know where we want to go in the long term, but we must also think about the short term – this Six Nations – and the medium term to increase competitiveness ahead of the (2019) World Cup.”
O’Shea didn’t manage to win the Six Nations in his seven years as an Ireland player but he says the tournament still holds a special place in his heart.
“I grew up watching and loving the Six Nations tournament,” O’Shea added.
I had the good fortune to play in it, and it is an incredible competition. I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead Italy in this event.
“We need to ensure high performance for 400 minutes across five matches, to be in the game until the end in each of the five matches.
“Improving the depth of our squad is a goal, as well as having internal competition. Our work is to develop our group and create internal competition with two to three players for each position, which can only be beneficial to our team.”
