Italy bowed out of the World Cup under Malletts predecessor Pierre Berbizier at the group phase and Dondi hopes the South African can raise the standard for the Azzurri.

Dondi said: We have to say thanks to Pierre for all the great work he did it for us. But the credentials of our new coach are exceptional.

After we signed him my mobile did not stop ringing for a second. I have had so many calls of congratulation after signing Nick Mallett. We have really signed one of the best rugby coaches in the world.

Dondi is confident Italy can continue to progress after a year in which the Azzurri had their best ever performance in the RBS 6 Nations.

He said: After the positive RBS 6 Nations tournament at the start of this year and missing qualification in the last game of our pool at the hands of Scotland in the World Cup, we wanted to keep going with an experienced and successful coach.

When we approached Mallett we knew it would be difficult to convince him to take charge of our team, but Italy are getting stronger in the international rugby scene and Mallett himself admitted this team can go further.

Dondi has every faith that the fortunes of the national side will improve, saying: We are giving Nick Mallett a good team with lots of youngsters to work with and we are sure he is the right man to take us closer than ever to the big teams.

I didnt ask him to win the next RBS 6 Nations, just to keep us going in the right direction and I am sure, if a good chance comes our way, our coach is one of the best people to take that chance.