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ST-REMY-DE-PROVENCE - Italy have tried to shrug off the pressure of their do-or-die World Cup battle against Scotland at St Etienne on Saturday.
The winner will go through to the last eight, probably to take on Argentina in Paris, while the losers will pack their backs and head home.
As soon as the World Cup draw was made, both the Italians and Scots knew that they had a date with fate to grab second place in Group C behind the untouchable All Blacks.
"It's a special match, no doubts, but I don't know if I would call it the match of my life," said lock Santiago Dellape, who is one element in an impressive Italian pack that is seen as the main threat to the Scots hopes of reaching the last eight for a sixth straight time.
"I try not to give it more pressure than it already has. We have already played matches like this. In the Six Nations, in the previous World Cup against Wales. This is not our first big match and I hope it's not the last one."
Italy, however, have not been in good form in this World Cup, opening in the worst possible fashion with a 76-14 thrashing at the hands of New Zealand before staggering past Romania 24-18 and lowly Portugal 31-5.
But all could be salvaged against Scotland as the Italians aim to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Fresh in the mind will be their historic 37-17 win over the Scots at Murrayfield in the Six Nations tournament in February.
In what was Italy's first away win in the competition, Pierre Berbizier's men were an astonishing 21 points up in just seven minutes as Scotland attempted to throw the ball wide.
They also beat Wales 23-20 to finish fourth in the table, with two wins to their credit for the first time since joining the Five Nations in 1999.
But since then, Scotland under coach Frank Hadden have made progress, while Italy appear to have gone backwards.
Team manager Carlo Checchinato recognises that all is not well in the Italian camp.
"It's quite frustrating really," he said. "Maybe we went into the World Cup with exaggerated expectations.
"We must realize that although we have made a lot of progress, we are still a way behind the top teams.
"But this game against Scotland is to qualify us as one of the top eight rugby teams in the world. It would be a huge boost for the development of Italian rugby."
Full-back Roland de Marigny agreed but said that he believed that Italy played their best rugby under pressure.
"Head coach Pierre Berbizier has already talked to us and we know that so far we have played three very bad matches," De Marigny said.
"The good thing is that we know that and we have what it takes to change that. We need to know how to deal with pressure."
Italian skipper Marco Bortolami, however, is in a race against time to be fit.
The lock forward has strained ligaments in his upper back and neck and has been receiving treatment over the last few days.
Dellape, flanker Josh Sole and wing Marko Stanojevic are all back in training after recovering from injuries sustained earlier in the tournament, while scans have ruled out any serious injury for loose forward Sergio Parisse.
Medical staff are also optimistic that back row Manoa Vosawai and winger Pablo Canavosio will be available for the Scotland match.
- AFP
