Conor O'Shea hopes Italy can help captain Sergio Parisse go out on a high in what is set to be the veteran forward's Rugby World Cup swansong.
The 36-year-old will become only the third man to play in five World Cups when he leads his side out against Namibia on Sunday, following in the footsteps of compatriot Mauro Bergamasco and Samoa's Brian Lima.
The Pool B opener will also be Parisse's 141st appearance for Italy, leaving him just seven behind former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw's world record of 148 international caps.
It remain to be seen how many more times Parisse will don the Azzurri colours but O'Shea hopes he can hit the heights in Japan.
The head coach told his pre-match press conference: "Maybe it is his last World Cup. I hope for him and the rest of the squad that it is his best.
"It is difficult to put into words what Sergio brings to the team on and off the pitch.
"The most important thing is his ability and he is probably the best Italian rugby player of all time. He never thinks about himself, only about the team."
Italy have won two of their four pool matches at each of the last four World Cups but have never made the quarter-finals, and it seems likely to be a similar story this time around.
They will expect to get off to a winning start against Namibia and Canada in their opening two fixtures, but then come the formidable challenges of South Africa and New Zealand.
O'Shea said of Sunday's opener in Higashiosaka City: "We need to show our true level, our true ability and try our best to meet our ambitions."
Namibia, ranked one place below Canada at 23rd in the world, have lost all 19 of their World Cup matches to date and have been on the receiving end of some of the tournament's biggest thrashings.
Attack coach Mark Jones knows his side are up against it but hopes they can give a good account of themselves against Italy.
He told a press conference: "Confidence and momentum are really important in professional sport and this game gives us the opportunity to achieve both of those things.
"We'll look to build great confidence going into two very difficult fixtures along with Canada in the last game. We know we as Namibians need to be at our very, very best tomorrow."
