The ex-Azzurri centre and former team-mate Fabio Ongaro are among a generation of legends climbing the coaching ladder.
Rugby obsessive, Christian, family man - the in-depth tale of Smith's journey to glory with Glasgow.
Flanker Back was part of the England team that prevailed 15-13 in Wellington 21 years ago.
Benetton kept themselves firmly on course for the United Rugby Championship play-offs by claiming a 36-19 bonus-point victory over the Dragons in Treviso.
The 39-year-old former hooker from Padova was firmly established in Italy’s front row when they downed Ireland 22-15 in March 2013, a result that is unthinkable in the current rugby climate and seems a very long time ago.
The 34-year-old’s bid to end his international career on a high was cruelly ended by South Africa.
France has been a nemesis for the All Blacks in the World Cup achieving famous victories in the 1999 semi-final and the 2007 quarter-final, while the two sides featured in two World Cup finals in 1987 and 2011.
Saturday's fixture versus New Zealand was expected to be Sergio Parisse's Test level swansong, but the cancellation of the match in Toyota has left fans sympathising he won't get that farewell.
Italy's one change to face Scotland sees Jake Polledri set for an international debut, while Sergio Parisse reaches another landmark.
