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Sebastian Negri said Italy should welcome the burden of waiting as they head for the six nations seeking to improve their best return to competition.
Italy has spent much of the 25 years since they became the sixth nation to support the table in the European tournament of the centerpiece of rugby union.
But 2024 saw Italy win two of its five championship games, beating Scotland and Wales, with the unlucky Azzurri to draw with France.
The Scottish co-captain Finn Russell, speaking on Friday before the opening of Murrayfield between the two teams, said that it was the best Italian side he should have faced.
And Azzurri, the row, Negri was not in mood to disagree.
“I have the impression that we are in a very good cycle right now,” said the 30 -year -old. “Obviously, we experienced ups and downs in the team, but I have the impression that it is a very good Italian team of which to be part.
“We have to kiss this, we cannot get away from it. It is a different challenge for us now. With the cycle and where we are in a team, we must put performance and get results.
“This is an exciting thing to be part.”
Negri was involved in Italy 31-29 victory against Scotland in Rome last March – a defeat that he plans to feed the local team in their quest for revenge in Edinburgh on Saturday.
“There has been a lot of rugby played after that, and we know that Scotland will do harm,” said Negri. “We know that they talked about putting things right and a little revenge, I suppose, so we have to expect this.
“It’s always difficult and difficult to play here. We are not illustrated. We have to make a very good performance to have a chance to get a result here.
“I watched the Scottish team yesterday (Thursday), I just see a very quality team there, full of depth. People say that maybe Italy is in one of their best cycles, that we are a very good team; I look at Scotland and I can say exactly the same. “
JDG / NR
