Bergamasco - comes in for Italy (Getty Images).

By Alex Lowe, PA Sport, Canberra

Canadian coach David Clark fears his side could struggle to deal with Italy's "sophisticated" brand of rugby when the two meet in Canberra on Tuesday.

Nothing less than a bonus-point victory will be enough for the Canadians to keep their slim dreams of quarter-final qualification alive.

But Clark is acutely aware just how tough a task that will be against an Italian side that have made significant strides forward as a rugby nation and have stronger claims on a spot in the last eight of the World Cup.

"The Italians are a lot more experienced than the Canadians because they play in the Six Nations Championship," said Clark.

"That gives them a head start. They have learned to play the game against different styles.

"They are in a very good learning pool and while they haven't won many games in the Six Nations they have certainly competed at that level.

"I expect them to be more sophisticated than we are, I expect them to be just as adventurous as hot-blooded continentals can be and have a very good defensive line.

"I expect a very, very good game from them."

In a contest that holds crucial significance for the Azzurri, John Kirwan will urge his charges to invoke the "Italian spirit" that was on show during a Six Nations campaign in which they beat Wales.

Victory would set up an enthralling showdown with the Welsh at the weekend, the prize most likely to be a spot in the last eight of the World Cup.

"What we are trying to create as far as this team is concerned is an Italian style and Italian spirit of rugby," he said

"During the Six Nations we played like that and against Tonga the other night we achieved a good balance."

After games against New Zealand and Tonga, Kirwan has stressed to his side the importance of giving Canada their full respect.

Clark's men gave the All Blacks a far tougher ride than the Azzurri, and he said: "This has always been our major game as far as we are concerned, as a staff and as players, because we know they are a side that can play for 80 minutes and are well organised.

"This is our biggest challenge as a side. This is a very important game for Italian rugby.

"The main message for every one of the team and the staff is 'this is it'."

Clark, a stated fan of the way New Zealand play the game, would love his side to emulate the All Blacks in waiting for the Italians to err and then pounce on the counter-attack.

"That's what the All Blacks do and it's not a bad recipe - be patient, wait for the mistakes to come," he said.

"We are going to try and develop some plays and sequences that will stretch the Italians with precision.

"But if they make a mistake, certainly we will capitalise."

Kirwan made just the one change, selecting Mirco Bergamasco on the wing ahead of the "tired" Nicola Mazzucato.

Clark, after selecting a side purely for its defensive qualities against New Zealand, has shuffled his line-up and brought back inspirational skipper Al Charron.