After a mixed summer of results for the Azzurri, when they secured a highly creditable share of the series in Argentina (1-1) before being defeated 69-21 by Australia in Melbourne, Berbizier called 45 players into the camp to prepare for the upcoming international season.

Italy take on Argentina, Tonga and Fiji in the November international period, and Berbizier is satisfied his players have progressed well.

It has been a pleasure to see all the 45 players in this training session, Berbizier told www.federugby.it.

There were a few new young players who attended for the first time, but they left an excellent impression.

I am happy about the work we did, and I saw maximum concentration and enthusiasm, which is vital as we prepare ourselves for the Test matches in November.

Azzurri captain Marco Bortolami is also excited by the contribution of the younger players to the training camp.

It has been good to get to know all the new players ahead of the international season, Bortolami said.

This squad is very young but there are a few experienced players, who have already played important tournaments like the RBS 6 Nations, or Test matches like in June in Argentina and Australia.

The gap between us and the top teams is still quite big, but we are trying our best to cut it and hopefully this meeting has given us more hope than never.