The ex-Azzurri centre and former team-mate Fabio Ongaro are among a generation of legends climbing the coaching ladder.
Under Marco Bortolami's patient guidance, the Italian outfit have become a force to be reckoned with
Italy unveiled their multi-lingual coach this week, who wants to shore up a suspect defence.
There is a sense of hope stirring in Italy as a reformed structure, generational talent and belief course through its players
All Blacks star Ardie Savea concedes he doesn't know a whole lot about the Italy side he and his teammates will face this weekend.
Benetton started life under Marco Bortolami with an impressive 22-18 home win over the Stormers in a United Rugby Championship opener.
Italian rugby fans have voted for the 'ideal' Italy XV of the Six Nations, with just three current players making the cut.
With Franco Smith contracted to take up a role in Italy in 2020, rumours had been swirling around the Irishman's position and he has now officially left.
Kieran Crowley has transformed the miserable fortunes of Benetton Treviso in the last three years and assistant Marco Bortolami has been delighted to see it all happen first hand.
As Italian great Sergio Parisse becomes the first player to reach 100 test defeats, we revisit some of his greatest victories.
