Pierre Berbiziers troops head into Saturdays encounter at Twickenham in desperate need of a good performance following their 39-3 hammering by France on the opening weekend of the tournament.

The Italians now face an England team fresh from a Jonny Wilkinson-inspired 42-20 victory over Scotland last weekend, but fly-half Pez is adamant his team will not be overawed by the occasion.

I dont fear England, I respect their team, he said.

They are obviously playing better rugby than last year, they have recovered several key players and that has no doubt given the team more confidence.

We must only think about the task ahead and try to make the most of our chances and limit our mistakes.

Wilkinson scored 27 points last weekend while fellow returnee Jason Robinson weighed in with two tries as Brian Ashton made a great start to life as England head coach.

And Pez has highlighted Englands returning heroes as the men Italy need to watch this weekend.

He continued: Johnny Wilkinson is a great player, if not their biggest star, and he makes sure the team plays great rugby.

Wilkinson and Robinson make a very dangerous line in attack, but they are also very good at defending, so we will have a big challenge on our hands this weekend.

Despite the task facing the Italians, Pez added that the opportunity to play against the world champions is one he relishes.

Its not every day that you get to play at Twickenham and its always something special when you do, he said.

There are so many fans, a great atmosphere and its really the birth country of the sport, so it makes it all the more beautiful to play there.