Scanavacca hoping to roll back the years
PA Sport
February 7, 2007

Italian fly-half Andrea Scanavacca will look to repeat the performance that saw him score 13 points against England six years ago when the teams clash on Saturday at Twickenham.

The 33-year-old Scanavacca recalls the encounter which England won 80-23 back in south-west London in 2001, three days prior to their second RBS 6 Nations meeting.

"I remember I didn't play in my role that day but that became my game," said Scanavacca.

"My first memory of that game was my first kick, I looked up and saw in between the posts a wave of white shirts, 80,000 fans, but I told myself: 'Andrea, kick the ball and score."'

Scanavacca had to be replaced after only 12 minutes in last Saturday's Six Nations opener against France after sustaining a knock on his ribs and

it was not a good start to the campaign for the hosts.

Italy went on to lose 39-3 at the Stadio Flaminio.

Scanavacca is ready to play in England although he has not yet fully recovered.

"I am definitely better," he said. "I have a muscular problem and I do feel pain at times. I've had some treatment in the last couple of days and I feel better."

Regarding Saturday's encounter at Twickenham, Scanavacca admits Italy must eradicate the blunders they made in their opener against France.

He said: "We have to make sure we don't make the same mistakes we did against France.

"We are aware that we are a strong team and in London we will play like the real Italy."

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