Mallett calls for more variety in Italy game

Italy coach Nick Mallett, one of three newcomers in this year's Six Nations rugby championship, called for more variety in his team's approach yesterday. Italy defeated Scotland and Wales last year but failed to advance past the first round of the World Cup when they lost by two points to the Scots.

Mallett, who coached South Africa to a world record-equalling 17 consecutive victories after taking over at the end of 1997 identified three areas in which the Italians needed to improve.

Mallett said Italy needed to develop a half-back combination and groom a wider group of international class players.

"There's just not a lot of players," he told reporters. "And I think that we have to develop a more varied game."

Italy will be captained this year by 24-year-old Sergio Parisse, who takes over from lock Marco Bortolami. Bortolami will be out of action for four weeks after sustaining a facial injury while playing for Gloucester at the weekend.

Italy open their campaign away to Ireland on Feb. 2 and host England at the Stadio Flaminio eight days later. They then travel to Cardiff and Paris before hosting Scotland in the final round on March 15.