Pez insists Italy must be clinical
PA Sport
February 9, 2007

Ramiro Pez believes Italy will have a tough task on their hands when they meet a resurgent England in the RBS 6 Nations this weekend.

Pierre Berbizier's troops head into Saturday's encounter at Twickenham in desperate need of a good performance following their 39-3 hammering by France on the opening weekend of the tournament.

The Italians now face an England team fresh from a Jonny Wilkinson-inspired 42-20 victory over Scotland last weekend, but fly-half Pez is adamant his team will not be overawed by the occasion.

``I don't fear England, I respect their team,'' he told PA Sport.

``They are obviously playing better rugby than last year, they have recovered several key players and that has no doubt given the team more confidence.

``We must only think about the task ahead and try to make the most of our chances and limit our mistakes.''

Wilkinson scored 27 points last weekend while fellow returnee Jason Robinson weighed in with two tries as Brian Ashton made a great start to life as England head coach.

And Pez has highlighted England's returning heroes as the men Italy need to watch this weekend.

He continued: ``Johnny Wilkinson is a great player, if not their biggest star, and he makes sure the team plays great rugby.

``Wilkinson and Robinson make a very dangerous line in attack, but they are also very good at defending, so we will have a big challenge on our hands this weekend.''

Despite the task facing the Italians, Pez added that the opportunity to play against the world champions is one he relishes.

``It's not every day that you get to play at Twickenham and it's always something special when you do,'' he said.

``There are so many fans, a great atmosphere and it's really the birth country of the sport, so it makes it all the more beautiful to play there.''

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