Italy boss Jacques Brunel has promised danger throughout the field as he aims to bring his own methods to the table.
New coach wants to make improvements across the board
Italy boss Jacques Brunel has promised danger throughout the field as he aims to bring his own methods to the table.
The Frenchman stepped into the fray when former coach Nick Mallett's contract expired two months ago following the World Cup in New Zealand.
Brunel's South African predecessor had taken the team forward resulting higher levels of consistency and competitiveness.
And although the Azzurri gained a reputation for being feared up front, mallet continually had issues with the backline.
However, with the Six Nations less than a month away, Brunel is confident his new-look side will have a more complete look to it.
"You need a team that is dangerous in every department so effectively it's fair to say that right now the team is a little unbalanced," the former France assistant admitted.
"We have forwards who are able to compete with the best but behind them there is still room for improvement to be able to impose ourselves or have strength in the backs to perform at the highest level.
"So we're going to try and re-balance the team, to implement a sense of spirit, to create freedom, to give a free hand to this three-quarter line so that they develop self-confidence."
The 57-year-old is renowned for his use of limited resources after leading French side Colomiers to the European Challenge Cup in 1998 and Perpignan to the Top 14 title three years ago.
Style
As preparations continue for the Six Nations, the former full-back, acknowledges that there is hard work ahead if Italy are to be capable of improving their 12th place in the IRB world rankings.
"You need to train with an objective, a way of feeling good with yourself because it's quicker, more incisive, more concentrated and also simpler," he added.
"You shouldn't want to over-complicate your style of play because we don't have enough time.
"Basically we need to synthesise things but without restricting their ambition from wither playing style or spirit."
Brunel is no stranger to the team, he has been tracking the Italy players throughout the World Cup and has used his initial period in charge to familiarise himself with the domestic scene.
"It has been mostly about discovering Italian rugby, seeing the whole structure, the potential of the high level network from the academy through the Italian top flight of the Celtic League franchises," he said.
However, Brunel believes that the players must be improved before they appear on the international scene as his time and influence is limited.
"We can't improve players in the three weeks we have with them, we don't have enough time," he added.
"The atmosphere can improve someone and give him confidence but his level is set beforehand."
