The 30-year-old Benetton Treviso scrum half was sidelined during this years RBS 6 Nations tournament due to the injury he sustained in December during Trevisos 51-0 defeat to Munster.

But from watching his team-mates from the sidelines, he was confident that Italys rugby future looks increasingly bright.

I thought Italy were superb, especially in defence and man to man, but we must get better in the attacking line where we were a bit of a shambles from my point of view, but also physically we are better than the past, he said.

And the scrum-half, who has made 83 appearances for his country, hopes to be back playing for Italy as soon as possible after recovering from his injury.

I'm in good shape after more than four months of recovery time, he said.

I'm playing now in the Super 10 with my club Treviso and of course I hope for an Italian call-up like any player, but I'm more focused on getting 100% fit at present.

Troncon also backed his club, the defending Italian champions, to win the Italian Super 10 competition this year, although they face tough competition from Ghial Calvisano in second place.

He added: I must admit that this year will be more difficult as Calvisano are playing well and now they have all the national team players back in the team, but we are ready to challenge everybody and fear nobody.