Veteran Italy prop Andrea Lo Cicero has promised to do a professional job when the Azzurri face France on Saturday.
Italy veteran unfazed ahead of 85th cap
Veteran Italy prop Andrea Lo Cicero has promised to do a professional job when the Azzurri face France in the RBS Six Nations on Saturday.
The 34-year-old will represent his country for the 85th time at the Stadio Flaminio, making him Italy's most capped active player.
The Racing Metro man has been brought into the front row in one of six changes made by coach Nick Mallett and is relishing the chance to face France.
"I have been here for over 10 years and always and only to do my job whether I play for 80 minutes or just one minute," he said.
"France are difficult opponents but it's good fun to face them."
Defeats
Italy are wooden spoon contenders having lost their previous three matches against Ireland, England and Wales and have never beaten France, further confirming their underdog status.
Lo Cicero added: "We cannot be conditioned by our previous results but think only of playing a beautiful game."
Italy hooker Carlo Festuccia, who also plays in France for Racing Metro, knows Les Bleus will be eager to get back to winning ways after a 17-9 defeat to England last time out.
"I know these players well. I face them every week and I know their quality and what they are capable of," Festuccia said.
"France will come to Rome ready to respond to all the criticism they have received this week from the French media and their fans following their defeat to England at Twickenham. They will bring out their best against us.
"And if we give them a chance, they will counter-attack from their own half. We can expect a big battle, especially from a physical standpoint."
