It is a perennial question posed on the eve of the RBS 6 Nations: will this finally be the time Italy justify their place?

The rise of the tier two nations during last autumn's World Cup reignited a debate about relegation from and promotion to the Six Nations championship.

It is a discussion which has long been on the table due to Italy's stuttering showings in the tournament, and with Georgia and Romania showing the strongest case for inclusion on the field.

Behind them are Russia, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Ukraine, while the inclusion of rugby sevens in the Olympics is only going to broaden the appeal in aspiring nations.

Italy have had a chance, and barely seized it.

In 16 participations since the Five Nations became Six in 2000, the Azzurri have finished sixth 10 times. Six of those have been whitewashes.

When Scotland - winners of the final Five Nations championship in 1999 - were beaten 34-20 in Italy's first match of the championship, the expectation was that the established order could be upset.

But there were 14 more defeats before their second victory, against Wales in the opening game in 2003.

Their first away win came in 2007, in Edinburgh, when they finished fourth for the first time. Fourth (in 2007 and 2013) remains their best placing.

It was not until 2011 and their 12th participation, that Italy beat a team other than Scotland and Wales, with France vanquished in Rome, before two years later both Les Bleus and Ireland suffered at the hands of the Italians.

If that looked like heralding a new dawn, it was a false one as Italy the following year were whitewashed once more, and last season they avoided the same fate with only their second away win, again in Edinburgh.

Italy travel to Paris for their opening 2016 Six Nations contest and then host England in Rome. Both opponents have points to prove.

Scotland, who lost three in a row in the Eternal City before winning in 2014, next visit Rome and the Azzurri then play in Ireland and Wales to complete the championship.

Stade Francais number eight Sergio Parisse has long been the team talisman, missing one Six Nations since 2004. He was absent in 2010 through injury.

For so long Parisse has been the stand-out performer in a mediocre side, but he still enjoys playing for Italy.

The captain told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Every time that I wear the Azzurri shirt it is something I am proud of. I've never felt as though I've wasted my time doing so."

He has 114 caps, but is still to win anything.

"If I had to trade in 100 caps, I would do so to win a Six Nations with Italy," he added.

The 32-year-old is running out of time.