ITALY may have a savvy new coaching team at the helm but Wales flanker Justin Tipuric expects one thing to remain the same: everything will go through world class number eight Sergio Parisse.

The Azzurri are looking to start the Six Nations with a bang by causing an upset at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).

Former Harlequins boss Conor O’Shea is now in charge of Italy, assisted by former England utility back Mike Catt, and raised expectations by masterminding an autumn win against South Africa.

They have also given a new lease of life to Parisse, the 33-year-old Stade Francais megastar who will win his 122nd cap this weekend.

O’Shea’s influence will undoubtedly show in Rome but the number eight remains the main man.

“He’s world-class. He does make Italy tick and all their trick plays are off him,” said Tipuric.

“Everything revolves around him and he’s such a great leader but you don’t want to jump out of the line on him and mess things up.

“We’ve got our eye on him but that doesn’t stop us playing as a team.

“He’s got to be up there (with the greats). He could easily have finished and taken a big pay cheque somewhere but has stuck with his country and you can see what type of person he is.

“He cares about the country and when he plays he can do everything. He can tackle, he’s a leader and that’s what you look for in those superstar type players.”

The Ospreys openside expects the usual rugged, abrasive Italian welcome in Rome but with a few added extras thanks to their new coaching team.

“They’re still going to have their same strengths with the driving maul and the forwards,” he said.

“That’s always been a strength of theirs and when they get a lineout close to the line they get more excited than anyone.

“That’s why they play the game but Conor O’Shea and Mike Catt will add those little one per centers.”

Wales romped to a 61-20 win in Rome two years ago to give themselves hope of the title on the infamous ‘Super Saturday’, the Irish swiftly responding at Murrayfield to deny them.

With bonus points now in play, Tipuric has urged against getting carried away with thoughts of a five-point haul.

“You have to win the games first and then try and push on for the extra point,” said the openside, who is likely to be joined by Sam Warburton and Ross Moriarty in the back row.

“But it might open a few games up to the end of the competition where you can see where you are and how many tries do you need. Hopefully it will make it more exciting.

“Hopefully we can start with a bang and get into it from the word go, and can play some nice rugby in the right areas.”

Wales name their team today with Alun Wyn Jones taking over as captain from Sam Warburton.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work with Al at the Ospreys for a number of years now,” said Tipuric.

“He is passionate and it’s all the off-field stuff you don’t really see with Al. He is always setting standards.

“If someone leaves a coffee cup and it hasn’t been put away, then he is setting those standards about being tight as a team. If we go out for food, we go as a team, and it’s little things like that.”