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ROME - Italy centre Gonzalo Canale has warned the Azzurri's Six Nations rugby opponents to prepare for a furious challenge from them in the tournament this year.
"Our new coach Nick (Mallett) has imposed a determined style of play," Canale said today.
"He starts from the principle that you must give your all when you're on the field, with passion in every phase of play, attack and defence."
Canale said the arrival of South African Mallett, who succeeded Pierre Berbizier in November, had helped Italy put their failure to reach the quarterfinals of last year's World Cup behind them.
"The team have taken to the changes he's introduced very well. He's named a new captain in (number eight) Sergio Parisse who has everyone's respect," he said.
"The whole system of playing and many ideas about our movements on the pitch have changed. We haven't had much time to work on this new system, but that will come in the course of the Six Nations."
The 25-year-old also backed Mallett's decision to field an untried inside backs partnership for his debut in the Italy dugout against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday (NZT).
Biarritz centre Andrea Masi has been handed the No 10 shirt after Ramiro Pez was dropped. The inexperienced Pietro Travagli takes over at halfback from the retired Alessandro Troncon, who has joined the Azzurri coaching staff.
"Playing first five-eighths is something totally new for Andrea but I know his physical and technical qualities and I know he won't have any problems facing this test," Canale said.
"I've also known Pietro for a long time because we played together at Treviso. I think they make a top halfback partnership and they'll show it."
Argentine-born Canale admitted that he and Mirco Bergamasco would have their hands full against the Irish centre pairing of captain Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy at Croke Park.
"They have one of the best centre partnerships in the world - individuals who aim to make the difference every time they get the ball and often they do.
"They also fire up the rest of the team, especially O'Driscoll. If I could take a player away from them, it'd be him."
The Clermont-Auvergne centre was quick to dismiss claims that Ireland's early exit from the World Cup may be a sign that they are a side in decline.
"We didn't see a great Ireland side at the World Cup, but we didn't see a great Italy either," he said.
"International teams like Ireland don't have any problems picking themselves up after an ugly spell. They are strong and organised and it'll be very hard to win there."
Italy have never beaten Ireland in the Six Nations and were crushed 51-24 in their meeting in Rome last season although they pushed the Irish hard in Dublin two years ago.
Italy
David Bortolussi, Kaine Robertson, Gonzalo Canale, Mirco Bergamasco, Pablo Canavosio, Andrea Masi, Pietro Travagli; Sergio Parisse (captain), Mauro Bergamasco, Josh Sole, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Santiago Dellape, Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero
Reserves: Carlo Festuccia, Salvatore Perugini,;Carlos Nieto, Tommaso Reato, Alessandro Zanni, Andrea Marcato, Ezio Galon.
- REUTERS
