But to open against reigning Grand Slam champions England is, says the 47-year-old, “a challenge within a challenge”.
Still, the former Test centre sees only the positives in taking on the Red Roses. He says: “I’m excited for us. We have some new players who will be starting the first match of the campaign against the strongest team in the world.
“This is a chance for us to learn what the younger generation is capable of. We’re looking at players like Francesca Granzotto, who can play nine but also wing and fullback; or Nicole Mastrangelo, also a scrum-half, who’s still under 20 but is in the group, so we’ll see how she does during the tournament.”
When Raineri took the job just over a year ago, he’d worked in several roles within the Italian federation, but this new position was the most challenging. “I’d never had the opportunity to coach any women’s teams before,” he says. “It was very different to what I was used to, and everything was new, but I had to settle into the environment as soon as possible.
“I am happy that I did it because, from my perspective, and in my education as a coach, it’s so important to grow and to gain these new experiences. I believe that working in the women’s game can help to complete you as a coach.”
This is a man who once paid his own way to South Africa in order to learn his trade. At Western Province, he benefited from the knowledge of some of the biggest names in Springbok rugby, including future World Cup winners Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber.
Surprisingly then, when asked who he considers his inspiration in coaching, he names a former Italy teammate. “When you talk about improvement in Italian rugby, I’m looking at [Benetton head coach] Marco Bortolami,” says Raineri. “I think he’s a really good coach, and every year I go into Treviso doing rugby camps with him, and I can watch the quality of him and his coaches. Every team he played for, whether it was in England or France, he was the captain. His leadership is important.”
Italy go into the Guinness Women’s Six Nations having witnessed their male counterparts finish their campaign in tremendous style with a convincing win against Wales in Cardiff. Coincidentally, Raineri starred in Italy’s first victory against the Welsh at the Stadio Flaminio 21 years ago.
“We’re in a good moment for Italian rugby, but that’s due to all the hard work across the teams,” says Raineri. “It’s a process that is continuing so we can experience further successes. Winning is our target, but that comes with improvement and growth - that’s the mission. Not just to give the national team a boost, but all women’s rugby in our country.”
Part of ensuring that happens is for young girls and women to see players like Elisa Giordano, Italy captain, performing in the Test arena. “Elisa is a great players and a great person,” he says of his number eight. “She’s the epitome of Italian women’s rugby: she has a job but she’s also playing at the elite level of the game.”
Italy v England. Saturday 24 March, 15:00 GMT. Live on BBC.
