The Azzurri have earned plenty of plaudits in this years tournament for their committed displays in the defeats to Ireland, England and France.

In those three games, coach Pierre Berbizier saw his side dominate in spells but then suffer as they tired in the closing stages.

On Saturday, however, Italy saw the game through to its conclusion as they picked up their first point of the campaign with an 18-18 draw at the Millennium Stadium.

Dondi, the president of the Italian Rugby Federation, felt the Azzurri could even have won the match but was delighted to see them perform when it really mattered.

The squad again demonstrated all the good things we have done in this tournament and how it is necessary to play at our best for the entire game, he said.

We should have won, but it didn't happen. Now we hope to give a victory to our fans against Scotland next weekend.