Italy’s players believe they will be taking on the best team in the competition when they face France in Paris in the RBS 6 Nations on Sunday.
The Azzurri earned their first win of the current campaign when they downed Scotland last time out. However, France have won all three of their games, taking down Ireland and Wales in the process and Italy props Salvatore Perugini and Martin Castrogiovanni know they will be up against it when Marc Lievremont’s men play host.
Last year France had a comfortable 50-8 win over Italy and Perugini, who plays his club rugby in France with Bayonne, says his side have to be better prepared this time.
"France has one of the strongest scrums in the world," said Perugini.
"With regards to the team, they are among the best in the world.
"We have to be strong in the scrum in order to try and hold France as long as possible and then try to take a risk.
"It will be a key opening 20 minutes. Having beaten Scotland in our last game, we have no pressure and this will help us to maintain the best possible concentration.
"We will see what happens."
Castrogiovanni added: "France is the best team in Europe," said Italy prop Martin
"Against them, we have to play a perfect game in defence.
"We cannot allow to leave any spaces because France when playing with the ball in hand are the best in the world."