But despite leading Italy to their greatest ever victory just last month, beating France 22-21 for the first time in their RBS 6 Nations clash, it wasn’t enough to convince the Federation to keep him on as they finished with the wooden spoon for a second successive year.

A statement from the FIR said: “The president of the Italian Rugby Federation Giancarlo Dondi met coach Nick Mallett today to inform him personally of the decision taken by the federal council regarding his eventual contract extension.

"The president has thanked the coach for the work done in charge of the national team and for what he will do until the end of his contract, which will expire after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand in the months of September and October.

"The decision taken by the federal council is not to continue with Nick Mallett after his contract expires."

Press reports have linked Perpignan manager Jacques Brunel with the Italian hotseat at this early stage.