Italy will be Six Nations title contenders within the next three years, according to new coach Jacques Brunel.
The Frenchman has been tasked with the job of bringing the Azzurri on after signing a four-year deal to take over from Nick Mallet, who stepped down from the role at the end of the Rugby World Cup.
Italy made great strides under Mallet and Brunel wants to continue where the South Africa left off, by turning the Azzurri into one of the world's top six nations.
"The team has potential, they've been progressing for several years and I hope to develop this progress even more," Brunel told reporters as his unveiling in Bologna.
"In the next two to three years we need to arrive in a position in which we are able to win the Six Nations and at the end of the four-year cycle to be in the first six in the world.
"That will require a lot of work, we have to keep our strengths and find a better balance with these strengths, but I believe strongly in this team."
Italy have competed in the Six Nations for the last 12 years but they have taken the wooden spoon on nine occasions. However, they enjoyed one of their finest days when they defeated France earlier this year before going on to win two of their four games at the World Cup.
Brunel's first match in charge will be against his native France but he is already looking beyond the Six Nations to the summer tour when he will take the opportunity to blood new players.
"The Six Nations is very important. We have to be ready very quickly," he added.
"So it will be necessary to rely on the majority of the players who were at the World Cup and then in June [tour to Argentina, Canada and the USA] explore the potential mainly in young players. So we'll continue now with the backbone of players from the World Cup and then, rest them and bring in the youngsters in June.
"We have to have confidence in players we have, as well as working with the clubs and young players for the future," he said. "So today we'll exploit the strengths we have, always staying with the mentality that we have to prepare for tomorrow." - http://www.setanta.com
The Frenchman has been tasked with the job of bringing the Azzurri on after signing a four-year deal to take over from Nick Mallet, who stepped down from the role at the end of the Rugby World Cup.
Italy made great strides under Mallet and Brunel wants to continue where the South Africa left off, by turning the Azzurri into one of the world's top six nations.
"The team has potential, they've been progressing for several years and I hope to develop this progress even more," Brunel told reporters as his unveiling in Bologna.
"In the next two to three years we need to arrive in a position in which we are able to win the Six Nations and at the end of the four-year cycle to be in the first six in the world.
"That will require a lot of work, we have to keep our strengths and find a better balance with these strengths, but I believe strongly in this team."
Italy have competed in the Six Nations for the last 12 years but they have taken the wooden spoon on nine occasions. However, they enjoyed one of their finest days when they defeated France earlier this year before going on to win two of their four games at the World Cup.
Brunel's first match in charge will be against his native France but he is already looking beyond the Six Nations to the summer tour when he will take the opportunity to blood new players.
"The Six Nations is very important. We have to be ready very quickly," he added.
"So it will be necessary to rely on the majority of the players who were at the World Cup and then in June [tour to Argentina, Canada and the USA] explore the potential mainly in young players. So we'll continue now with the backbone of players from the World Cup and then, rest them and bring in the youngsters in June.
"We have to have confidence in players we have, as well as working with the clubs and young players for the future," he said. "So today we'll exploit the strengths we have, always staying with the mentality that we have to prepare for tomorrow." - http://www.setanta.com
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