Italy v Scotland
Sergio Parisse not taking Scotland threat lightly
ESPN Staff
February 21, 2014
Sergio Parisse and Jacques Brunel prepared for Scotland © Getty Images
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Sergio Parisse is not taking any result for granted ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash against Scotland, a fixture being termed by some as a Wooden Spoon decider.

Scott Johnson's side travel to the Stadio Olimpico having failed to claim a win from their first two matches of the tournament, but Parisse feels the visitors will still be a threat.

"A victory is not a foregone conclusion. We must not make the mistake of addressing the match without the proper concentration. Scotland have put us in trouble often in the past," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "We have to play in the best possible way - it would be a fatal error if we do not go into the match with the right head."

The Italy captain will claim his 104th international cap alongside prop team-mate Martin Castrogiovanni this weekend, extending their joint record for the national team.

"The best way to do well against Scotland is to be afraid of losing. Let me be clear - we are confident and we want to play with the right intensity for 80 minutes," Parisse added. "We are playing at home in front of our large crowd. The Stadio Olimpico will be packed with 70,000 fans. We don't want anything to go wrong."

Parisse goes on to say that a loss would not be fatal for Italy's tournament hopes: "Do not forget that the Six Nations does not end this Saturday, there will be Ireland and England to deal with after."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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