Mallett has also coached Stade Francais

Mallett has taken over from ex-France scrum-half Pierre Berbizier, who had said he would leave the post after the World Cup in his home country.

Italy went out of the World Cup after losing 18-16 to Scotland in their final group game as they attempted to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Mallett had been linked with Wales but said he had already been in talks with the Italian federation.

Mallett, who will take up his new post on 1 November, was born in England but moved to then-Rhodesia and South Africa as a child.

The 50-year-old led the Springboks to 27 victories in 38 Tests from 1997 to 2000, including a world record 17 in a row.