MILAN (AP) New national rugby coach Conor O'Shea has pinpointed fitness and mental strength as the key areas to improve as he aims to transform the Azzurri into ''the best Italian team ever.''
O'Shea, who was confirmed as Jacques Brunel's successor in March, gave his first news conference as Italy coach on Tuesday after seeing out his job as the Harlequins director of rugby.
The former fullback, who earned 35 caps for Ireland from 1993-2000, says ''I played against a really strong Italy team in the 90s. This group, with the right mentality, can become better than that.''
Italy finished the last Six Nations without a win.
O'Shea adds, ''The technical ability for a lot of players is there. That's why I keep saying fitness, nutrition, mentality is a huge part.''
