Castrogiovanni has been included in Kirwans squad for the tournament and is hoping Italy can do better than last year when they won just one game - at home to Scotland.

The 23-year-old said: Last year it was a wonderful experience for me, especially when I was selected as man-of-the-match against Scotland at the Flaminio in Rome.

It meant we avoided the wooden spoon and that will again be very important for us ahead of this years Six Nations.

And if I will play, it will be an honour to wear the Azzurri shirt and give 100%.

Castrogiovanni has faith in the methods of All Black legend Kirwan, who he thinks is constantly improving the state of Italian rugby.

The former Kiwi winger, who took control of Italy from countryman Brad Johnstone in 2002, has assembled a young squad the Calvisano star believes will get better with time.

I know our coach and his staff will create the right atmosphere in our squad, he said.

We worked well especially in the summer and in the Test matches in November. John has rejuvenated the team with calmness and in his own time.

His aim is to have important and experienced players for the next World Cup [in 2007] and RBS 6 Nations, which I believe is the best thing for the Italian rugby movement.

While Italy are expected to again be battling to avoid the wooden spoon in their sixth outing in the RBS 6 Nations, the front-row forward has picked Ireland as his tip to do well, with the Welsh not far behind.

He said: Certainly England and France will give it everything to get the trophy, especially the world champions who enter the tournament on the back of an average year.

The Irish havent changed much and they have an experienced and well-organised team.

But the Welsh could pose serious problems for everybody if you face them with the wrong approach.

They are playing very well and made it difficult for the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium last November.