Former Italy prop Andrea Lo Cicero has urged his side to exact revenge on Ireland when the two teams meet in their Six Nations opener on Saturday.
The Azzurri welcome Ireland to Rome having been on the end of a 46-7 pasting in Dublin last year as they lost all five matches to claim the wooden spoon.
However, with the World Cup on the horizon, Lo Cicero believes that his side need to harness the "frustrations" from that defeat in order to get their Six Nations campaign off to a positive start.
"I hope the Italian players remember what happened in Dublin when they come into this game. They've got to take the frustrations from that game and bring them into this match," Lo Cicero told PA.
"Italy aren't in the best shape at the moment, but during November things did improve slightly. There's a lot of young players coming through, but they don't have experience and they haven't gelled well yet with the experienced players. They will need a good Six Nations to boost their chances at the World Cup, but they will have to be at 100% all the time for that.
"Ireland and France, in their minds they will feel they can beat Italy. That will be tough for Italy to change, but that's what they need to try to do before the World Cup. They have to show to Ireland and France, and others in the tournament, that they can compete, and win, again."
Italy will face Ireland and France, along with Canada and Romania, in Pool D at the World Cup.
Barney Corkhill
