The game will give Italy coach John Kirwan the chance to assess the form of his players ahead of the RBS 6 Nations, and Vuillemin, boss of Italian Super 10 side Amatori Catania and one of the three coaches in charge of the World XV, is anticipating a close match.

I'm very honoured to be one of the coaches and I'm ready to offer my experience, he told www.legarugby.it.

The selection committee of Lega Rugby did a good job, calling a good group of players who appear to be strong as individuals and as a group.

To approach a match like Saturdays we have to play fast, all together and aggressive. My first worry is when we play against a consistent team like the Italians we have to organise a great scrum.

Also we have to find the right rhythm from the start. Our aim is to compete as well as possible against the Azzurri. I'm sure this will a good match with two great squads, he added.