Mallett has been forced to name flanker Mauro Bergamasco as his scrum-half for Saturday's clash at Twickenham © Getty Images

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Matches: England 36 - 11 Italy

Players/Officials: Nick Mallett

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: Italy

Nick Mallett has challenged Italy to take the next major step in their development against England at Twickenham this weekend.

The Azzurri enjoyed their best ever Six Nations campaign in 2007 with victories over Wales in Rome and a trouncing of Scotland at Murrayfield but have been unable to builkd on that.

The 2007 Rugby World Cup was a major disappointment, while in the Six Nations last season the Azzurri came close to beating both England and Ireland before finally nailing a last-gasp victory over Scotland. But it was not enough to lift Italy from the bottom of the table - and Mallett believes they are capable of producing more.

"We are able to compete in every game but we need to start taking all our chances," said Mallett ahead of tomorrow's clash. "In November against Australia and the Pacific Islanders we created a lot of opportunities but we did not take them - and that is one of the reasons we were beaten in all three matches in the autumn."

Italy came agonisingly close to beating England in Rome last year, eventually falling 23-19, and Martin Johnson insisted his side would not even be guilty of "unconscious complacency". Italy are always abrasive, passionate and physical - but possibly more so tomorrow with nine forwards on the field plus a nominee for 2008 world player of the year.

Captain Sergio Parisee was an inspiration for the Azzurri last year while Mauro Bergamasco has been switched from flanker to scrum-half to cover an injury crisis. And Mallett believes England are gearing up for an arm-wrestle.

He said: "England need to win so they decide to use an experienced squad so he has recalled Harry Ellis and brought in a player like Andy Goode, who is a good kicker. He is a fly-half for plays for his forwards and he is very good from a tactical point of view."

Johnson described Bergamasco's selection as an "interesting call" given he has never played the position before but Mallett explained: "He is a great tackler and I wanted to have a very experienced player in the position."