Bergamasco perfectly positioned for challenge of Twickenham

Italy is a nation with a flair for the unpredictable, renowned for its impulsiveness and spontaneity, with a rugby team whose temperament often resembles a marriage between passion and brutality. So when the former All Black John Kirwan took over as coach, many expected him to inject an element of convention. How wrong could they have been?

As if entranced by the capricious Italian way, he named Mauro Bergamasco, one of the world's best flankers, on the right wing for their opening Six Nations game against Wales. Bergamasco, whose only previous international experience on the wing had come in a tour game against South Africa three years earlier, admits the decision came as a surprise. "John approached me before our final warm-up game and told me he wanted to try me out on the wing," he says. "I was very surprised and a little doubtful, but was happy to give it a go."

It seems the gamble paid off. Playing with a renewed sense of vigour, the Italian team harried, tackled and played with new purpose and intensity. The expected second-half capitulation never happened, and a below-par Wales were defeated.

"I have to say that the Welsh team that came out were not the Welsh that I know," says Bergamasco. "They seemed confused and out of sorts. However, we came out and played a more fluid game, putting together more phases and playing with confidence and intent. And, most importantly, we realised that it is important to enjoy playing. I found playing on the wing very strange, though, and it was quite hard to get involved. Having two weeks to prepare to play in a totally new position at international level is not easy. Fortunately, Wales didn't use their backs that much, and I had Paolo Vaccari at full-back, who helped me through as well."

Though Italy's win evoked memories of their famous debut victory in the tournament against Scotland three years ago, Bergamasco asserts that this time they cannot wait so long for the next win.

"This year we must win a few games. We don't want to be unrealistic but it is important. This cannot be a one-off. It is not easy, because we have a very young team with little international experience, which inevitably means we are progressing at a slower rate," he acknowledged.

Italy's surprise victory was followed by defeat to Ireland. But Bergamasco points out: "Ireland are a very strong team and we knew it would be a lot tougher. We played some good rugby and showed glimpses of a more fluid game, and we could also have scored more points if a few things had gone our way."

International success often reflects a successful club system, and this season, to improve playing standards, the Italian Premiership has been reduced from 12 teams to a "Super 10" format. "It is working well," says Bergamasco. "There is still much improvement to be made. It is important that everybody within the game is working in the same direction and I don't feel that is happening. My club, Benetton Treviso, is successful because everyone has the same ambition and ethic. This example needs to be followed all over Italy."

Bergamasco has been courted incessantly by overseas clubs. "I definitely want to play abroad, although I do not know where yet, either England or France," he says. While he refuses to carve his plans in tablets of stone, rumours suggest he is likely to be playing in England after the World Cup.

But on Sunday, his attentions will turn to beating England, something Italy have never managed. "I am really curious to see how well Italy play at Twickenham. England are one of the best teams in the world, but like all teams they have a weakness. If we put them under pressure, individually they are fallible. Obviously, though, this is easier said than done."

Refusing to be lured into self-defeating cynicism at the challenge of facing England at Twickenham, Bergamasco remains upbeat. "I don't want to make any predictions, but anything is possible. Just look at Scotland a few years ago, nobody thought they had a chance and they won."

Bergamasco prefers playing in the back-row, but he has been moved back to the right wing against England in a reshuffle which brings in his 20-year-old younger brother, Mirco, at full-back.

Italy's new self-belief suggests their star may be in the ascendant, and Clive Woodward's undefeated England will do well to beware Mauro Bergamasco's bone-rattling tackling and remarkable speed.