Six Nations: Italy’s Brunel wary of complacency

By IAIN COLLIN
Published on 06/02/2013 01:21

Italy head coach Jacques Brunel has warned his players against complacency as they bid to build on their shock win over France with a victory against Scotland this weekend.

ITALY head coach Jacques Brunel has warned his players against complacency as they bid to build on their shock win over France with a victory against Scotland this weekend.

The Italians stunned Les Bleus 23-18 in Rome on Sunday and are sure to be full of confidence for their trip to Murrayfield, where they picked up their 
first-ever away win the Six Nations with a 37-17 triumph in 2007.

Since then, matches between the countries have gone with home advantage, with Scotland winning comfortably in Edinburgh in both 2011 and 2009.

However, following Scotland’s heavy 38-18 defeat by England at Twickenham, Brunel has sought to dampen down expectations that the Azzurri will find it easy to register back-to-back wins.

“We have another important challenge in Edinburgh. Everyone says that Scotland is not a great team, after England scored nearly 40 points against them,” the Frenchman said. “But let’s remember that last year the Scots caused difficulty to all the teams in the Six Nations and since then they have won in Australia and against Fiji and Samoa.

“They have young players of great quality and to win at Murrayfield won’t be simple, but it is our next challenge.

“It is not enough to beat France. We have to get used to beating all of these teams.”