And despite Italy’s disappointing World Cup campaign, failing to reach the knockout stages after defeats to Australia and Ireland, Brunel is confident he has the talent available to him to challenge Europe’s best.

He said: “The squad has potential, they have been progressing now for several years. I hope I can continue that in the next few years.

"In the next two or three years we need to be in a position to win the Six Nations, and then we want to be in the top six nations in the world.

"Obviously there's a lot of work to be done. We have to keep the strengths that we have and develop them. But I strongly believe in the potential of this squad.

"We have to have confidence in players we have, as well as working with the clubs and young players for the future.

"So today we'll exploit the strengths we have, always staying with the mentality that we have to prepare for tomorrow.

"There has to be a collaboration between all the levels of Italian rugby to let us have results now and in the future. The attention the clubs give the young players now will be crucial for Italy in the future.

“We have to try to exploit to the max the potential of the players. I want players who are ambitious. We have to exploit the strengths we have and find a game that works best to our resources."

Italy will kick off their Six Nations campaign away to Brunel’s native France and the 57-year-old admits Les Bleus will be desperate to get their own back after this year’s shock 22-21 loss.

He added: "France are the third best nation in the world — and they want revenge.

"It's going to be very difficult, but I like that. It's going to be a good game and will show me immediately the capacity of this squad.

"The Six Nations is very important. We have to be ready very quickly. So it will be necessary to rely on the majority of the players who were at the World Cup and then in June explore the potential mainly in young players.

"So we'll continue now with the backbone of players from the World Cup and then, rest them and bring in the youngsters in June."