Parisse looking to make his mark

Sergio Parisse hopes he can find a "different level" in this year's RBS 6 Nations after a back injury plagued the Italy captain's wretched 2014.

The 31-year-old has long been renowned as one of the world's finest number eights, but has admitted he failed to reach his own lofty standards last year.

The Stade Francais loose-forward has finally beaten niggling back trouble to hit top form however, and expects to carry that into Saturday's tournament opener against Ireland in Rome.

Italy will hope Parisse's bid to reprise his formidable understanding with flanker Alessandro Zanni can help make life difficult for title-holders Ireland this weekend.

"Last season was very difficult from my point of view because of injuries," said Parisse.

"All season I played with pain in my back, I had problems and couldn't play at my best level.

"I missed last summer's tour and that gave me the chance to recover properly over five weeks of rest.

"That meant that when I then returned the problem in my back had gone.

"I've been really, really fit since then; it's allowed me to play to a different level, at one I'm really happy with at my club.

"I'm fit for the championships too, and hopefully I can take that different level into these matches now."

Parisse trained on his own on Monday as he eased past a slight hamstring tweak, but the classy back-rower completed Tuesday's full session.

The 103-cap skipper is in line to lead Italy into Saturday's tournament opener, well aware last season's last-placed finish was a long way from par.

The bookies' favourites to retain their Six Nations crown, Ireland ought to have too much strength and guile for the Azzurri.

Parisse almost accepts as much in hailing Joe Schmidt's side as the northern hemisphere's best, but the savvy operator still expects improvements.

Italy lost all five Six Nations matches last year en route to the wooden spoon, Parisse admitting the last-gasp 21-20 defeat to Scotland in Rome hurt the Azzurri the most.

Brian O'Driscoll marked his Dublin farewell with a virtuoso showing as Ireland swatted Italy aside 46-7 in March, but Parisse has demanded a reaction.

Italy will face Ireland and France in Pool D of the World Cup later this year, with the captain conceding the Six Nations could have a direct bearing on results in England in the autumn.

Italy's 22-15 victory over Ireland in 2013 cost Declan Kidney his job - but Parisse said Schmidt's revival has more than turned the tables.

"Ireland are probably the best team in the northern hemisphere at the moment," he said.

"It's important for us to start the competition well.

"I don't want to bore you with the details, but we had a lot of injury problems and there were lots of problems for our coach Jacques (Brunel) too.

"Last year the match that had the biggest negative impact for us was probably when we lost to Scotland at home to the last-minute drop-goal.

"But now we are here to fight for the Six Nations and it's a chance to try to change things.

"We are not at the same level as Ireland; we beat them two years ago but last year conceded 40 points in Dublin.

"The fact we're playing them again in the World Cup means the mental point of view will be vital in this game; it will be important to be competitive against them."