Italy's Picone ready to step into mentor Troncon's boots

By Paul Virgo

ROME (Reuters) - Simon Picone said he was ready to step into the boots of his former mentor Alessandro Troncon after being named scrumhalf for Italy's Six Nations match in Wales on Saturday.

Coach Nick Mallett said on Wednesday he had always seen Picone as retired Troncon's heir but fitness problems forced him to start with Pietro Travagli in the narrow defeats by England and Ireland.

"Taking Troncon's shirt is a heavy job, but it also gives me a lot of stimulation to do well on the field," Picone, who came off the bench to score Italy's only try in the 23-19 loss to England in Rome, told reporters.

"When you enter the stadium, you just think about doing your job the best you can and that's what I'll try to do."

Picone, who has 12 caps, said he owed much to Troncon after serving as his understudy at Treviso between 2002 and 2006.

"We were together for four years at club level and I learned a lot from him," said the 25-year-old. "I don't know if I'd have a starting place if he were still playing.

"But I can offer lots of aggression in defence and I'll try to give as much rhythm to the game as possible. Mallett has asked me to get my team mates playing."

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