The Italians won just one game in this years RBS 6 Nations championship, a 20-14 victory over Scotland, but De Rossi believes they are constantly improving and can become a force to be reckoned with.

Overall, this RBS 6 Nations has been very positive for me and also for the team which has acquired an excellent work ethic, he told www.giornaledibrescia.it.

We played badly in just one game, against Wales last Saturday, and sadly that was the last one, but this will not undo the positive work.

I think our most difficult game was against the Welsh where we lacked maturity and experience. We went onto the pitch to win the game and were punished from the start, a lesson I hope will be good for the future.

But I believe this is the right time for us to go forward and get better and better. We must not work as individuals but work together which is the best thing for the team.

It is not up to me to choose the new coach (if that should be the case) and it is not my duty to defend coach (John) Kirwan. Indeed, sometimes I dont agree with his decisions but we all stick by him for the sake of the team.

There was a plan which has gone in a certain way and has given certain results so we will move on and hopefully will continue to improve in the future.

In attack, we must get better, but I think this is down to maturity because in certain positions we still miss experience and game continuity at certain level.

De Rossi is confident that Griffen, who only made his Italy debut in their opening RBS 6 Nations game against England, will be the backbone of the side in the coming years.

Indeed, Griffen and team-mate Andrea Lo Cicero made it into the team of the tournament.

The player who has surprised me most has been Paul Griffen, said De Rossi.

He was our best player in every game in my view. He has show intelligence and character which earned him a place in the best XV.

I believe Paul can be the backbone for our future.