Brunel praised his side’s defensive display against Wales, where the Azzurri were within six points at the break before Warren Gatland’s men ran out 24-3 winners through second-half scores from Jamie Roberts and Alex Cuthbert.

The only disappointment for Brunel was that after watching his side cross the try line through Sergio Parisse against Ireland and seeing Giovanbattista Venditti and Tommaso Benvenuti pick up tries at home to England, Italy mustered only a Mirco Bergamasco penalty against Wales.

And ahead of the visit of Andy Robinson’s Scotland to Rome, Brunel admits they must fire on both fronts to claim their opening win in the final game of the Championship.

“The spirit we have shown was completely different than against Ireland in Dublin,” he said. “Especially in our defensive performance against what is a very powerful Welsh side and we kept ourselves in the game almost throughout.

“But it was a weaker game from an attacking point of view, especially with the line-out as we made too many mistakes there to launch any good attacks.”