Justin Tipuric will face a kindred spirit when he faces fellow back rower Sergio Parisse in Rome on Sunday.
There may be six years between them, but Wales flanker Tipuric and the Italy No.8 have both shunned big money offers in order to make Test rugby their top priority.
Tipuric, 27, has rejected offers to play in both France and England in order to stay in Wales with the Ospreys and although Parisse has played for Stade France for over a decade, the Italy skipper has always insisted that country calls ahead of club.
In that way he will have amassed and incredible 122 caps for the Azzurri by the opening weekend of this year’s Six Nations and Tipuric says: “He could easily have finished and taken a big pay-cheque somewhere, but he has stuck with his country and you can see what type of person he is.
“He cares about the country and when he plays he can do everything. He can tackle, he’s a leader and that is what you look for in those superstar-type players.
“He is world-class. He does make Italy tick. Everything revolves around him and he is such a great leader. We’ve got our eye on him but that doesn’t stop us playing as a team.”
Italy go into the tournament with a new coaching set-up, better known to rugby fans in the UK than to Italians. Former Harlequins chief Conor O’Shea, the ex-Ireland full-back, is at the helm and assisted by Mike Catt, who coached and played for England.
They have taken over at a time when expectations have been raised in Italy by their notable victory over South Africa in their final match of the autumn series.
Tipuric expects Italy to have the same abrasive qualities, but with a little more refinement than in previous years.
“They’re still going to have their same strengths with the driving maul and the forwards,” he said.
“That’s always been a strength of theirs and when they get a lineout close to the line they get more excited than anyone.
“That’s why they play the game but Conor O’Shea and Mike Catt will add those little one per centers.
“Hopefully we can start with a bang and get into it from the word go, and can play some nice rugby in the right areas.”
“You have to win the games first and then try and push on for the extra point. But it might open a few games up to the end of the competition where you can see where you are and how many tries do you need. Hopefully it will make it more exciting.”
Tipuric, who will clock up a half-century of Test caps if he makes four Six Nations appearances this season, is set to be an integral part of Wales’ bid to reclaim a title they last held four years ago.
He was arguably Wales’ most consistent player during the autumn series this term, but he is quick to play down a level of constancy that has seen his performances go up another gear.
“I’ve just been lucky,” he added. “The Ospreys have been going well, which just makes life a bit easier.
“I am just enjoying it. Brad Davis (defence coach) has come in with the Ospreys this season and has been great for us, the way we defend as a team.
“He’s added so much to the Ospreys and it’s all down to him really.”
