Bortolami expects stiffest test

Italy talisman Marco Bortolami insists his side face their toughest Six Nations challenge to date when they run out against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Italy talisman Marco Bortolami insists his side face their toughest Six Nations challenge to date when they run out against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Gloucester lock, who returns to the international fold after recovering from a fractured eye-socket, has watched his countrymen record narrow tournament losses against Ireland and England thus far.

But he expects Warren Gatland's in-form side to be much more taxing opponents when the two go head to head in Cardiff.

“They are a dangerous team because they have very strong individuals,” the former Azzurri captain told reporters.

“They have enormous potential and I don't think they have expressed themselves to the full yet.

“On paper it didn't seem [that they would be our toughest opponents] so because we had to play in Ireland and then face World Cup finalists England, but this has turned out to be the case.

“Ireland were poor in the second half against us and England were very disappointing.”

However, the 27-year-old admitted that the squad would not be happy with a third honourable defeat this weekend.

“We've shown that we are just a step away from winning the games we play, so we have to believe we can do it,” he added.

“We aren't here to lose by not many points. We are definitely not satisfied.”

Bortolami, who relinquished his captaincy to loose forward Sergio Parisse at the start of Nick Mallet's reign, has already pinpointed Wales's expansive brand of rugby as their main weapon.

“Wales play a lot of wide rugby. If we can stop the offloads and [not give away] easy yards, we can really compete against them. If we let them play, it will be tough because they have a lot of skill.”

Yet Italy's youngest ever captain can draw on the fact that Italy enter the game having drawn and won their previous two meetings with the Welsh.

“This should give us the awareness needed to go there and challenge them,” he said.

“There isn't the reverential fear players may have at a subconscious level when facing France and England.

“That said, it won't be easy. We have to take great care otherwise there is the risk of a rude awakening.”