Preview: Italy v Samoa
Coach Jacques Brunel is hoping a reinforced Italy get reacquainted with their promising 2013 form when the Azzurri host an "organised" Samoan side in Ascoli on Saturday.
Italy are looking for major all-round improvements after finishing with the Six Nations' wooden spoon and returning from a disastrous summer tour of the South Pacific with defeats to Fiji, Samoa and Japan.
"Samoa are the most organised of the southern Pacific nations: in the past they leaned on strong individuals, now their game is a lot more structured. We know it's going to be a difficult challenge," Brunel said.
However, the Frenchman believes the return of several "important" players to the squad will give the Italians the backbone they sorely lacked in a forgettable 2014 summer season, in which he said the Azzurri defence "suffered badly".
Captain and No.8 Sergio Parisse returns to the fray after missing the June tour while flanks Alessandro Zanni and Simone Favaro, and inside centre Luca Morisi, will all start at the Stadio Del Luca in Ascoli.
"We've welcomed back some important players who, in recent years, have played a key role in the squad, starting with our captain Sergio Parisse but also [Alessandro] Zanni, [Simone] Favaro, and [Luca] Morisi," added Brunel.
"They've all been regulars in the past but for various reasons missed one or some of the games we had in the course of last season.
"We're hoping their return will give us confidence when we meet Samoa, who in the summer put us in difficulty, especially when it came to winning the ball.
"This is a problem we hope to have resolved after working on it specifically during our training camps of October and more recently in San Benedetto del Tronto."
Francesco Minto and scrumhalf Edoardo Gori have also rejoined the squad following injury absences.
Gori joins Kelly Haimona in an unprecedented halfback partnership with the Kiwi-born player, who described himself as "just a Maori boy from a small town in New Zealand", winning his first Azzurri cap having recently earned selection alongside Fiji-born Samuela Vunisa.
Samoa have beaten Italy in their past two meetings, including a 15-0 win in Apia last June. Nine of the starting XV for Saturday ply their trade in either the Premiership or the Top 14 and their powerful back row includes Taiasina Tuifua, Jack Lam and Piula Fa'aselele.
Brunel insisted Italy's scrum problems against Samoa last time out was a flash in the pan and hopes his biggest concern, the Azzurri defence, has learned lessons from past mistakes.
"Our scrum really had problems against Samoa during the tour, but I'm sure it was an exception.
"Last season we had more serious problems that came from the lack of balance between our attack and defence, which suffered badly.
"That's why we've worked on our defence of late. Now, we have to try and get back to the level we had in 2013," he added.
Players to watch:
For Italy: Sergio Parisse is one of the most skillful players at No.8 and, some would say, is better than Kieran Read and Duane Vermeulen. The Italians love their Kiwi-born flyhalves and have handed Kelly Haimona his debut in the crucial position.
For Samoa: Veteran lock, Kane Thompson will be key to the Samoan forwards fronting up to their powerful opponents. David Lemi will lead his charges from the wing, someone that is never seen in the modern era. Kahn Fotuali'i played four seasons with the Crusaders before heading North.
Head to head: The decision making of the flyhalves, Kelly Haimona and Tusiata Pisi, will be the difference between the sides but they will only be given the chance to dictate the game if they are afforded front-foot ball from their pack of forwards.
Recent results:
2014: Samoa won 15-0, Apia
2013: Samoa won 39-10, Nelspruit
2009: Italy won 24-6, Ascoli Piceno
2001: Samoa won 17-9, L'Aquila
2000: Samoa won 43-24, Apia
1995: Samoa won 42-18, East London (World Cup pool match)
Prediction: The teams are evenly matched and despite Italy having home ground advantage, Samoa will have too much firepower for their hosts. Samoa will claim an easy 12 point victory.
Teams:
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Luke Mclean, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Robert Barbieri, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Giulio Toniolatti.
Samoa: 15 Fa'atoina Autagavaia, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 David Lemi (captain), 10 Tusiata Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Piula Fa'asalele, 5 Fa'atiga Lemalu, 4 Kane Thompson, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Albert Toetu, 18 Viliamu Afatia, 19 Teofilo Paulo, 20 Maurie Faasavalu, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Michael Stanley, 23 Winston Stanley.
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Ascoli Piceno, Italy
Kick-off: 14.00 (13.00 GMT, Sunday, November 9 03.00 Samoan Time)
Expected weather: Partly cloudy, low of 13, high of 20.
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), Greg Garner (England)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
