Italy have drafted fly-half Tommaso Allan into their starting line-up as one of four changes for their Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Sunday when they hope to end a 22-game losing streak against England.
 Hopes for this season had been high after Italy’s historic win over South Africa’s Springboks in November, but coach Conor O’Shea has so far failed to recreate that magic formula, with heavy Six Nations home defeats to Wales and Ireland.
 Italy will meet an England team unbeaten in 15 matches and O’Shea said they have worked on areas where “we felt gave momentum to Ireland” since their defeat, adding that Italy’s players had “a big responsibility” for the England game.
 O’Shea named wing Giulio Bisegni in the starting line-up in place of Angelo Esposito and Michele Campagnaro at centre for Tommaso Benvenuti.
 There is also one change in the pack as South African-born Braam Steyn replaces Maxime Mbanda in the number six jersey, with the latter dropping to the bench.
 “We have had to change, but the changes are for the future,” O’Shea told reporters yesterday when naming his team.
 “One of the big things is to stop feeling sorry for ourselves in games. To stop feeling sorry for ourselves about where we are and focus on performance.”
 Allan said Italy are bracing themselves for the “big challenge” following consecutive defeats to Wales and Ireland.
 Allan is a former Scotland youth player whose Scottish father and Italian mother both played rugby in Italy.
 The significance of playing a key role for the Azzurri at the home of English rugby is not lost on the 23-year-old Vicenza-born player. But Italy have never beaten England in 22 previous encounters and Allan says there is only one team in the world better than Eddie Jones’s men.
 “England are one of the best teams in the world, second only to the All Blacks,” said Allan. “They are a very clinical side that makes few mistakes. It’s a big challenge for us. We will have to avoid the same mistakes we made against Ireland. We want to give a good account of ourselves at Twickenham and remain competitive for 80 minutes.”
 Elsewhere, flanker Abraham Steyn replaces Maxime Mbanda in the back row while Giulio Bisegni comes off the bench to start in place of Angelo Esposito on the wing. Exeter Chiefs’ Michele Campagnaro — a late replacement against both Wales and Ireland — will start at centre in place of Tommaso Benvenuti.
 Italy began this year’s tournament with renewed hope and confidence following a historic 20-18 win over South Africa in the November test series.
 But despite glimpses of promise in their opening two games at the Stadio Olimpico, the Azzurri are staring at a likely 12th wooden spoon in 18 editions following defeats by Wales (33-7) and Ireland, who registered their highest ever Six Nations away win over Italy in a nine-try romp nearly a fortnight ago.
 Against England, Italy are likely to be given little respite. Allan is hoping the improvements brought to his game by former England fly-half Mike Catt, an Italy assistant coach, come to the fore.
 “For Mike it will be a big challenge, but also exciting for him down to walk on to the pitch in front of his audience, albeit as an opponent,” added Allan. “It’s great working with him. He’s a great coach who works hard both on the skills of the team as with us on an individual level at the end of training, focusing on the small details that can make a difference.”