(Reuters) - Italy came into their 25th Six Nations on the back of a disastrous World Cup and with a new head coach who had little time to prepare, but ended up with their best ever tournament and a feeling that there is even better to come.

Finishing the competition with a three-game unbeaten run, recording two wins and a draw, gathering 11 points, being ranked number eight in the world are all statistics which point to an inspired tournament by Italy.