The Italian rugby coach Jacques Brunel insists he's not thinking about the formidable challenges of New Zealand and Australia as he named his team for the first of three November Tests, against Tonga this weekend.
The Azzurri host the All Blacks at Rome's Olympic stadium next weekend before hosting Australia in Florence a week later.
But Brunel said the priority is for Italy to maintain the good form they have shown recently when they meet Tonga in Brescia.
Brunel appears to be keeping his best players for the Tests against the All Blacks and Wallabies.
Among the Italy stalwarts, Mirco Bergamasco is injured while prop Martin Castrogiovanni will start from the bench. Both Andrea Masi and Sergio Parisse, however, will start on Sunday morning.
South African-born Tobias Botes comes in at scrum half after a mediocre Six Nations tournament which he exited with an elbow injury against Scotland.
Italy will be facing Tonga for the fourth time in the nations' history, with Italy leading the head-to-head 2-1.
