South African-born former Italy lock, Carlo del Fava, says he hopes Rassie Erasmus’ prediction about where the Azzurri would end in this year’s Six Nations, comes true.

After South Africa’s three-Test series against the Azzurri in 2025, Erasmus made it clear that Italy were no longer a side to be spoken about in hopeful terms alone.

“They’re a team who – according to me – on an upward curve at the moment if I look at their performances against us,” Erasmus said. “Our matches against them were definitely not easy.”

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That assessment has been echoed by Del Fava, who believes the upcoming Six Nations could be the tournament where Italy finally begin to match promise with results.

“Look, it takes a very brave man to question a prediction from someone like Rassie,” Del Fava said.

For Del Fava, Italy’s opening exchanges will be crucial in measuring just how far they have come. This weekend’s clash with Scotland, in particular, looms large.

“This weekend’s match against Scotland will, however, tell me a lot about where the Italian team currently stands,” he said.

“Scotland are, for me, one of the strongest dark horses, and if they can manage to play flat out for a full 80 minutes, they will be a very difficult team to beat.”

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Italy’s recent performances against elite opposition have already offered encouragement. Narrow defeats in November left a lingering sense of opportunity missed.

“I think Italy were very unlucky against New Zealand and Argentina not to win those matches in November,” Del Fava said.

Looking beyond Rome, Del Fava has backed England to emerge as eventual champions, but believes this Six Nations could shape the hierarchy of northern hemisphere rugby for years to come.

“I think this year’s tournament will provide a watershed moment in determining who really is the leading team in the Northern Hemisphere,” he said.