Cole knows all about Castrogiovanni’s strengths having spent the best part of six years by his side at Leicester Tigers and after the Azzurri’s dominant showing against France the England prop in wary of the challenge ahead.

And in facing a side looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance against Wales and upset the Red Rose’s Grand Slam aspirations, Cole insists Italy will prove another significant challenge at Twickenham.

“The way they have scrummaged so far in this competition, the first two games they were what you would expect from Italy,” said Cole.

"Against Wales they came a little bit unstuck but we said they would go away and focus on their scrum, like we will do after our performance against France. It will be two good sides trying to go at it."

“We are focused on Italy. They are coming to Twickenham with nothing to lose. They are a dangerous side, we saw that against France earlier in the tournament and we don't want to be on the end of that kind of result."