ITALY captain Sergio Parisse has hailed his team-mates for daring to dream in Saturday’s historic triumph over France.

The Azzurri came from 12 points down to beat Les Bleus 22-21 in Rome for the first time in their RBS 6 Nations history.

“Since 2002, I and the rest of my team-mates have been dreaming of this moment,” Parisse said. “To win against France at home is a dream come true.

“It’s the merit of our great group and of our coach Nick Mallett.

“All Italians can be proud of what we have done.

“I told my team-mates that there’s no harm in dreaming and in rugby when there’s heart, will and belief, you cannot be stopped.”

Parisse, who plays his club rugby at Stade Francais, admitted his team’s attitude had changed with regard to how much respect they showed the French.

The Azzurri had gone into the game having lost their previous 11 tests against France in the tournament.

“France weren’t the team we thought we could beat ahead of the start to this tournament,” Parisse admitted.

“In the past we have respected France too much but that was not the case today.

“With five minutes remaining in the game, I looked at my team-mates and I knew we would do it.

“We were first to the ball, first to get up and tackle.

“We were spectacular, especially in defence.”

The win was Italy’s first in the tournament since their 16-12 victory over Scotland in Rome in February 2010.

France, meanwhile, are licking their wounds.

The defeat in Rome was the second straight setback for Marc Lievremont’s side following their 17-9 defeat against England last month.

“We must take responsibility,” France full-back Maxime Medard said.

“This defeat is not the fault of our coaches, who gave us the information we needed. We didn’t execute it on the pitch.

“We made too many mistakes and didn’t play the way we had to.

“We have to learn from our mistakes and focus on ending the tournament in the best possible way.”