Dondi, the president of the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), believes the team has made great strides since joining the Six Nations tournament in 2000.

Dondi said: I'm happy about the team and coaching staff who are doing great and hard work.

We are a very young team and some of them have very little international experience but I feel a very positive signal.

I think it means we will be at our best for the World Cup in France.

Looking back at this years campaign so far, Dondi has mixed emotions.

Italy played impressively against pre-tournament favourites Ireland in their RBS 6 Nations opener before losing 28-17 and were well beaten by Wales, 38-8, in their second outing.

To be honest the game against the Welsh gave me mixed feelings, said Dondi.

I believe we played well, especially in the first half, but I believe the Welsh are at present a very good team and maybe they are even better than the Irish.

The first game against Ireland made me happy and proud.

I'm sure if we had made no mistakes, especially in last 20 minutes, we would have been able to fight the Irish for victory.