Mallett wants Italy to compete

Nick Mallett insists Italy's objective throughout the 2010 RBS 6 Nations is to remain competitive.

A lack of playing resources limits Italy's ambition but Mallett will be satisfied if they trouble all opponents - while picking up the odd scalp.

"For Italy, success means being competitive against every other side," he said.

The Azzurri have won only six of the 50 games they have played since joining the championship in 2000 and have finished with the wooden spoon seven times.

But, on occasion, the competition's lowest-ranked team have proved dangerous opponents at the Stadio Flaminio, where Wales and Scotland have succumbed in the past.

Mallett added: "When we have a chance to beat a team, we have to take it. If we're playing the bigger teams away, we don't want to lose by 70 points.

"We want the defeats to be within 15-20 points. That's where Italian rugby is at the moment and we have to improve on that."

Italy V England Hospitality

Six Nations Hospitality