Rugby: Young Italy gear up for Six Nations with optimism

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 1 - The Six Nations kicks off next week and for the first time in many years, Italy fans are not looking towards the tournament with trepidation.
    Kieran Crowley's young side got a massive monkey off their back when they beat Wales in the last game of the 2022 campaign to end a seven-year losing run in the competition.
    Although they suffered a setback in July with a 28-19 defeat in Georgia, a side some say have a claim to the Azzurri's Six Nations slot, they roared back with a strong showing in the autumn tests, including a first-ever win over Australia.
    So optimism is unusually high, thanks in part to the heroics of fullback Ange Capuozzo, world rugby's breakthrough player of 2022.
    Indeed, Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) President Marzio Innocenti has set the side a target of winning two Six Nations games this year to equal Italy's best-ever showing. "I think we can do it," said 23-year-old scrum-half Alessandro Fusco ahead of Sunday's opener against reigning champions France in Rome.
    "The recent good performances prove that we have grown a lot.
    "We are confident because we know we can take on anyone and everyone, always taking the field to win.
    "The team's aim is to improve, day after day, week after week.
    "Our focus remains being a team that attacks as much as possible and asks questions of the opposition's defence" (ANSA).