TURIN - Italy second row forward Marco Bortolami has said he expects the intensity to increase when Nick Mallett's team meet Argentina in the second of their autumn internationals.

The Gloucester player is aware that as part of Italy's pack, he will be at the forefront of stopping Argentina's much vaunted forwards, that includes the grizzled Mario Ledesma and Rodrigo Roncero.

"Against Argentina it won't be simple, it never is. It will be a very physical battle. We are all aware of the difficult engagement that awaits us," he told reporters here.

Bortolami, who was Italy's 2007 World Cup captain and has also led Narbonne and Gloucester, said he hopes there will be an upward curve in the team's performances following the close-fought 30-20 loss to Australia.

Despite being a formidable unit in their own right, Italy's pack was unable to dominate Australia's eight and so lacked control of the match at crucial moments.

"All of us want want to play a match at the best technical level possible. In the match against Australia we clearly showed the positive elements of play this Italy side has and those which we must continue to work on.

"We've gone over our errors and we are working to correct them. It will be important to improve these aspects of our game because at international level, line-outs and scrums are usually the basis for winning."

In June Italy edged a 13-12 win in Cordoba on their summer tour, requiring a last minute conversion from Andrea Marcato to win.

It was a match heavy on perspiration, but light on inspiration, and whilst he didn't play, Bortolami realises that it might need a similar approach at Turin's Stadio Olimpico for Italy to win.

"We are coming off the first match at the highest level and I believe that on Saturday once again we have to take all our fighting spirit and determination onto the field.

"Carrying out our game plan efficiently will give us a chance of winning."

AFP