But looking back on the season as a whole I think the team is getting better - apart from against Ireland and France and the first 20 minutes against England we played well. We are moving softly, softly and it is important that this year we did not finish with the wooden spoon.

But we have our problems - we are weak in tackling. There are only seven or eight out of the 15 who really tackle. The two locks (Giacheri and Bezzi) did tackle well and so did Aaron Persico, but as a team we did not really manage to keep up enough pressure.

The scrum when it is locked is a good one but we are not mobile enough when the ball is loose. We also have problems at the line-out and with the throw. Maybe (Carlo) Checchinato could come back for the World Cup.

The Federation is not dynamic enough and does not give enough support to the national team. And the Stadio Flaminio needs to be renovated - it is old-fashioned and has no lounges, bars or restaurants.

But it is important that we stay at Rome. Moving to Genoa would be a mistake because it is a national team and it would be like saying rugby is just for the north of Italy.

Ramiro Pez is a good creative player but his tackling is not up to the necessary standard and he needs to work on that.

Diego Dominguez is always a key player and for me it would be great if he went to the World Cup but I am not sure if there is a good relationship between him and John Kirwan.

A player like Diego deserves to be treated well after all he has done for us.

Mirco Bergamasco is another very good attacking player but he is another that needs to do work on his tackling and his brother Mauro will be back for the World Cup but as a back row forward, I think.

Cristian Bezzi and Carlo Festuccia are both developing, they are both very serious although Festuccia needs to impose himself more on the game. They are young so they need time.

The squad needs senior players like Checchinato, Cristian 'Ale' Stoica and Alessandro Moscardi - it will be good not just on the pitch but off it. But it is Kirwan who has to take decisions like that, not me.