Friday 26 February 2016 15:13, UK
Sergio Parisse is confident Italy have enough quality in their squad to add to Scotland's Six Nations woes in Rome on Saturday.
Both sides will be looking for their first win in this year's tournament when they clash in the Stadio Olimpico, the venue of Scotland's last Six Nations win more than two years ago.
Scotland lost all five of their matches last season, including a close game against the Azzurri, who were delighted to claim revenge for their 21-20 defeat in the Eternal City in 2014.
The Scots appeared to be a much-improved team in last year's World Cup, when only a controversial late penalty saw them knocked out 35-34 by losing finalists Australia in the last eight, Vern Cotter's men coming closer than any other northern hemisphere team to reaching the semi-finals.
But they have disappointed in two Six Nations games this year, being beaten by England and Wales in tight encounters, and the pressure is growing on Cotter after nine successive defeats in the competition.
Italy captain Parisse said: "I think they are a really strong team - but I think we are a really strong team too. I'm confident in our strengths.
"It would be arrogant on my part to say we are better than Scotland in the forwards or in the backs.
"Everyone is talking about this game and how both Scotland and Italy have no victories in their opening two matches, so this weekend is a crucial match.
"In the past we lost against them here in Rome with a last-minute drop-goal but last year we went to Murrayfield and got a try late in the match to win too. So you know that Scotland-Italy matches are always hard, always tough to win.
"Maybe we have more pressure because we are playing at home. We know we can lose to them but we also know we can beat them.
"If we play the right game we have the possibility to have a good result at the end."
