6N History (2000-05): 6th, 6th, 6th, 5th, 5th, 6th. Only three victories in total, two over Scotland, one over Wales.

Coach: Pierre Berbizier. Scrum-half who played for France in the first World Cup final and coached them to 1995 semi-final. Replaced John Kirwan after the Azzurri's winless campaign last year. Tough remit for a tough character.

Age: 25 Caps: 42 Tries: 3

Captain: Marco Bortolami. The lock was a controversial choice to replace the temperamental Alessandro Troncon, but has revelled in the responsibility.

Big man: Andrea Lo Cicero. A cool, calm, colossus who is the cornerstone of the pack. His Sicilian upbringing adds a certain aura for his front-row opponents.

Mi stai guardando? Sparisci!

Enforcer: On the other side of the front row, prop Martin Castrogiovanni is one of several Argentines who have switched allegiance to Italy. Takes no prisoners.

Brains and brawn: Skipper Marco Bortolami is a brainbox in a brute's body, a pan-European juggler combining club rugby in France, university studies in Italy and international captaincy.

Southern intruders: There's a Kiwi twang to Italian acccents in training with Paul Griffen (from Dunedin), Josh Sole (Hamilton) and Rima Wakarua (North Shore) all in the squad.

Bergamasco's locks fly in the face of Italian stylish sophistication Hair-raising barnets

Bad hair day: There's a lot of lank, long hair in the Italian camp, but Mauro 'The Mop' Bergamasco cleans up ahead of Griffen's dreadlocks.

Bogey fixture: Most of them. They have won in France and Ireland (both in 1997), but not in the Six Nations. England have averaged 51 points on their last three trips to Rome.

Prospects: Can be expected to compete up front against every nation, but lack of class behind means their final fixture at home to Scotland looks the only realistic hope of a victory.

Odds to win title: 500-1. 1000-1 Grand Slam.