At the start of the tournament, few would have given Italy - favourites to end up with the wooden spoon for the second successive year - any chance of upsetting Les Bleus in their own back yard at the Stade de France.

However, after two rounds of this years competition, the possibility of an Italy win in the French capital is no longer as far-fetched.

Because while France, who many felt would replace Wales as Grand Slam-winners in 2006, have struggled for form, Italy have given both Ireland and England a run for their money in their opening two matches.

The Azzurri held the lead heading into the last 35 minutes of both matches before running out of steam to lose 26-16 against the Irish in Dublin and 31-16 against the English in Rome.

And because of those displays, Cecchinato is confident they can go to France on February 25 with an upset in mind.

Certainly it will be very hard, maybe for some people even impossible, but now after our displays in the first two games, we most go with clear aims - try to eliminate all the little mistakes we made in previous games, and get on with real stuff, he said.

France are a good team, I would say probably one of the four best teams in the world, but if we stay in the match for a long time like against Ireland and England I really believe there is a possibility of creating a great shock.

Our defence is good and as you see the attacking is getting better and better, so why not? Anything can happen in rugby.

The Italian players went back to their respective clubs following last Saturdays game with England but they will return to national duty this weekend.

That gives Italy boss Pierre Berbizier and his coaching staff a week to plot Frances downfall, and Cecchinato has warned the players to expect an intensive time.

They know we have a week to prepare for the game against Les Blues, and we are going to train very hard, because we are going to France to try and win the game, he said.

The first two games have been good for us and we have had a very positive reaction from fans and the press, so we are happy about this.

But from now on we most concentrate on next weeks game against France.