Former Italy prop Cherif Traore believes that a "hungry" Azzurri side can beat France in the Six Nations this weekend after an impressive start to the campaign.
Having beaten Scotland in their tournament opener, they narrowly missed out on a first away victory against Ireland in the Six Nations, after leading at half-time.
This weekend, Italy head to Lille to face the tournament holders, who began their campaign by hammering Ireland and then Wales.
"The recent matches show the team is working hard to become what they are right now because they're hungry and they want the world to see that they're growing, they're evolving," Traore told AFP on Wednesday.
"France have more potential and they're in a better place than Italy. But we're not talking about it on paper.
"Italy could become one of the best teams in the world," the 31-year-old added.
Italy have rebounded well since former Argentina head coach Gonzalo Quesada took over after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
They had won only two SIx Nations matches in the previous 10 years at that point – including a record 33-match losing run between 2016 and 2022.
But they have won four and drawn one of their 12 matches under Quesada, giving them a 33 percent win percentage in that time, compared to an overall 13 percent success rate in the tournament.
In his two years in charge, he has overseen impressive wins over Scotland, Wales and Australia thanks to a solid set-piece, a disciplined defensive game and some individual brilliance from players such as fly-half Paolo Garbisi, centre Tommaso Menoncello or captain Michele Lamaro.
"I think if he (Quesada) continues doing what he's doing right now, he's gonna be one of the greatest coaches Italy have ever had," Traore said.
"The consistency, the growth, the evolution thanks to the systems they have, are better than before.
"I watch the teams, I see them compared to when I played there before, it's different.
"You understand the mentality is more different from what we used to do before.
"Their hearts are beating so fast because they're hungry to win," he added philosophically.
HELD BACK
Guinea-born loose-head Traore moved to Italy aged seven and represented the national team during a bleak period between 2018 and 2022, earning 16 caps.
Nine months after his final appearance in March 2022, his name was in the headlines after he was given a rotten banana by a Treviso team-mate in a 'Secret Santa' Christmas present exchange.
He left the Italian club in 2023 before a spell in the French second-tier with Mont-de-Marsan, and now turns out for Dutch first division outfit Diok, based in the city of Leiden.
Traore retains aspirations of adding to his caps.
The current Italy squad includes a number of players with mixed backgrounds such as back-rower David Odiase and winger Paolo Odogwu, who both have Nigerian heritage.
"With racism in Italy and rugby, even though you're good, people will still hold you back," Traore said.
"Even if you are one of the best players, it will still hold you back if you're black or coloured.
"I hope one day people recognise your hard work and your dedication for the sport.
"Things are changing, but I hope things change quicker," he added.