Italy are more than aware France need a landslide victory on Saturday to have any hope of retaining their RBS 6 Nations title, but with the home side themselves attempting to avoid being saddled with the wooden spoon, a sold-out Stadio Flaminio could be in for a try-fest.

Les Bleus, requiring a minimum 42-point winning margin at the end of the game to even stand a chance of pipping Wales and Ireland to the title, have no choice but to go for the jugular - and the Azzurri are pledging to fight fire with fire.

Team manager Marco Bollesan said: We have to play an attacking game despite the strength of our opponents.

Sadly we are missing five or six important players, but I'm sure whoever plays tomorrow will give everything they've got against Les Bleus.

I believe we are going to face a team who will do everything to score tries and get the points they need.

The 2005 RBS 6 Nations champions are likely to be decided in Cardiff where Grand Slam-chasing Wales meet Ireland, but Bollesan believes the leading side in the competition will be the one facing his troops this weekend.

Tomorrow we say farewell to the RBS 6 Nations, and in my opinion we are going to play against the best team in this tournament, he added.

However, Bollesan has seen enough from his side throughout the competition to feel positive about what the future holds.

He added: Sadly, we lost an important match against the Scottish at Murrayfield, where in my opinion the worst team that day won.

But I must say that we have had a good tournament despite the defeats.

Do not forget we are a very young team with many inexperienced players, so I believe next year we will be stronger and more organised.