Wooden spoon contenders Italy won’t be standing idly by when England come looking for the win that could hand them the Six Nations title this weekend, captain Sergio Parisse warned Friday.
England go into Saturday’s final round of matches with a chance of pipping tournament leaders Ireland to this year’s crown, although England would have to win in Rome and hope France beat Ireland in Paris to have a mathematical chance of snatching the title.
Italy have nothing but pride to play for and Parisse stressed they plan to make up for their disappointing campaign so far.
“England will show up looking to win the title but we won’t stand by watching them,” Parisse said.
“Our first goal is to match them for 80 minutes and then try to make life difficult from the first minute to the last.”
England are level on points with Ireland and France. Although they have a +29 points difference advantage over the French, they trail Ireland by +49.
England assistant coach Andy Farrell said earlier Friday they will focus on the job at hand but warned that recent criticism levelled at France’s side could work in their favour.
“I think we’ve got a good chance of winning the title,” Farrell said at the team’s hotel in Rome.
Having come fourth last year thanks to wins over France and Ireland, Italy have endured a comparatively disastrous campaign this time around.
They pushed Wales close in a 23-15 defeat in Cardiff, only for Scotland to snatch a 21-20 win at the Olympic Stadium last month.
Jacques Brunel’s side should however take encouragement from their last two games against England – a 19-15 defeat in Rome two years ago and an 18-11 reverse at Twickenham last year.
Parisse added it was payback time for the fans.
“We’re going to leave everything out on the pitch tomorrow. It’s great to feel the affection of the Stadio Olimpico, but it also places responsibility on your shoulders,” he said.
“We will do everything we can to give our fans an afternoon to be proud of.”