Servat emphasises importance of Italy victory

France hooker William Servat has warned his team-mates against overconfidence heading into their penultimate RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy, reminding them they have won nothing yet.

Marc Lievremont's men are favourites to take the Grand Slam crown after seeing off Scotland, Ireland and Wales in their opening three matches. Their final clash of the tournament against England has been billed as a mouth-watering tournament decider, with France expected to comfortably see off Italy on Sunday.

However, Servat insists Les Bleus cannot afford to think beyond this weekend's battle with the Azzurri, and told the France federation website, www.ffr.fr: "At the moment, we are nothing - we have won three matches and then what? People are congratulating us but if we fall by the wayside in the match against Italy we will not be anything anymore. This match is really more important than it seems."

Italy have long been regarded as the tournament's whipping boys.

However, in the last round of matches they defeated Scotland 16-12 and earlier in the tournament England scraped a narrow win.

Italy's previous away fixture this season ended in a 29-11 loss in Ireland, but Servat believes France cannot afford to underestimate their neighbours.

"They regularly beat Scotland and Wales," he added.

"They will come here to annoy us; they have really progressed.

"They're building themselves little by little in a professional world that doesn't give space to weakness.

"Even though the international results aren't yet at the level, I have seen them progressing for several years now."

Date published : 11 Mar 201017:30:24

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