New Italian rugby coach John Kirwan believes the Azzurri can turnaround their recent run of poor form in the Six Nations and win the Championship within five years.

The All Black legend, who was speaking at the announcement of his squad to tour New Zealand said: "I want take Italy to win the Six Nations in about five years.

"I want to create an elite group of about 75 players to work and reach a high standard as soon as possible.

"To do that I will need the help of the clubs and a technical staff who can guarantee quality and continuity."

He took over last month from compatriot Brad Johnstone, whom he had worked under.

He has specific goals for the build-up to the next Six Nations, which starts on February 15 next year against Wales in Rome.

Italy's preparations include the three-match tour of New Zealand, then World Cup qualifying matches against Romania and probably Spain, Poland or Russia, followed by friendly home internationals against Argentina and Australia.

"I want two victories from the team in the New Zealand matches, qualification for the World Cup, the victory against Argentina in the friendly on the 16th of November and a good game against Australia a week later," Kirwan said.

"And in the next Six Nations we want at least one victory."

Squad: Forwards Andrea Lo Cicero (Toulouse/Fra), Gianluca Faliva (Treviso), Giampiero De Carli (Calvisano), Federico Pucciarello (Gloucester/Eng), Ramiro Martinez-Frigoni (Roma), Andrea Moretti (Calvisano), Fabio Ongaro (Treviso), Marco Bortolami (Padova, vice-capt), Enrico Pavanello (Treviso), Santiago Dellape (Arix Viadana), Mark Giacheri (Sale/Eng), Aaron Persico (Viadana), Andrea Benatti (Viadana), Mauro Bergamasco (Treviso), Antonio Mannato (Laguardiense Sannio), Sergio Parisse (Treviso), Andrea De Rossi (Calvisano), Matthew Phillips (Viadana)

Backs: Alessandro Troncon (Montferrand/Fra, capt), Juan Manuel Queirolo (Dax/Fra), Matteo Mazzantini (Treviso), Francesco Mazzariol (Treviso), Ramiro Pez (Rotherham/Eng), Giovanni Raineri (Roma), Cristian Stoica (Castres/Fra), Cristian Zanoletti (Calvisano), Walter Pozzebon (Treviso), Denis Dallan (Treviso), Nicola Mazzucato (Treviso), Gert Peens (Piacenza), Gonzalo Javier Canale (Treviso)