Serafino Ghizzoni is Italy's joint top-scorer in Tests between the two nations © Getty Images

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Matches: Italy 53 - 17 Russia

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: Italy | Russia

Six Nations representative Italy will aim to continue their winning run over Russia in Nelson on Tuesday.

Russia edge the meetings between the two sides with nine wins to Italy's seven with a 12-12 draw back in 1981 the only time the pair have tied. However, Italy have won their recent five clashes with Russia most notably recording their biggest win in their last encounter. Italy overcame Russia 67-7 back in 2006 in Moscow running in nine tries in the process in their 2007 World Cup qualifier.

Russia's last win came in 1989 when they prevailed 15-12 in Moscow in the FIRA Championship clash. And Russia also took the inaugural clash between the two sides winning 11-9 in Rome in November 1978.

The pair have never met in the world Cup though the Azzurri have racked up the most points in matches between the two sides with Italy standing on 316 compared to Russia's 209.

Italy v Russia

All-time record: Played: 17, Italy won 7, Russia won 9, Draw 1.

Biggest winning margin: Ita: 60 (67-7, Moscow 2006) Rus: 9 (9-0, Moscow 1979; 16-7, Kiev 1983)

Highest score: Ita: 67 (67-7, Moscow 2006); Rus: 19 (19-30, Moscow 1993)

Most tries: Ita: 9 (67-7, Moscow 2006) Rus: 3 (16-7, Kiev 1983)

Most points (individual): Ita: 68 Stefano Bettarello; Rus: 8 I Nikolayev

Most tries (individual): Ita: 3 Marcello Cuttitta, Serafino Ghizzoni; Rus:1 Vyacheslav Grachev, Alexander Khrokhin, Alexander Zakarlyuk

Previous World Cup meetings: None

Statsguru archive:

Click here for Italy's Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click here for Russia's Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click here for a record of all Italy v Russia matches courtesy of Statsguru