Italy face their stiffest test of the Six Nations so far in Cardiff on Saturday when they meet an unbeaten Wales side who have not yet peaked, according to former captain Marco Bortolami.

"They are a dangerous team because they have very strong individuals," said the lock (pictured), who is available after missing narrow defeats by Ireland and England with injury.

"They have enormous potential and I don't think they have expressed themselves to the full yet.

"On paper it didn't seem (that they would be the toughest opponents) because we had to play in Ireland and then face World Cup finalists England, but this has turned out to be the case.

"Ireland were poor in the second half against us and England were very disappointing."

The 27-year-old said the Azzurri would not be happy with a third honourable defeat this weekend.

"We've shown that we are just a step away from winning the games we play, so we have to believe we can do it," said Bortolami, who was replaced as captain by number eight Sergio Parisse at the start of the tournament.

"We aren't here to lose by not many points. We are definitely not satisfied."

Bortolami said Italy must prevent Wales from playing their expansive style of rugby if they are to repeat last year's victory over them.

"Wales play a lot of wide rugby, (a lot of) offloads. If we can stop the offloads and (not give away) easy yards, we can really compete against them. If we let them play, it will be tough because they have a lot of skill."

He also warned that Wales were likely to use the same tactics "at the limit of the law" employed by the English forwards last weekend to steal lineout possession.

Wales have a 100 percent record this year after beating England and Scotland. But Bortolami said Italy could take heart from the fact that they have not lost to the Welsh for three years.

"This should gives us the awareness needed to go there and challenge them. There isn't the reverential fear players may have at a subconscious level when facing France and England.

"That said, it won't be easy. We have to take great care otherwise there is the risk of a rude awakening."

The lock said he was fully fit after recovering from a fractured eye-socket to play the whole of Gloucester's 29-26 league defeat by Bristol on Sunday.

He admitted he would have a job to take a place in the second row from Carlo Antonio Del Fava or Santiago Dellape.

"Santiago and Carlo have played well in these first two games, so I'll have to carve out some space for myself and try to put them in difficulty," he said.

Reuters