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Giampiero De Carli's side came back from the dead to beat Neath 38-29 after being 22-5 adrift at half-time.
**Click here for the match report
'It was a fantastic weekend for Italian rugby - the perfect boost to take into our national squad gathering on Monday (9 December). I was at Treviso to see them beat Newcastle Falcons and that was also a good win," said former All Blacks wing Kirwan.
'But there were other great results, especially Calvisano's first Heineken Cup triumph against Neath. To be honest, that was just what we need in Italy.
'We have still got a long way to go, but the results last weekend are a good sign for us. It's what we've needed.
'What the players in Italy will take out of this weekend is self-belief and part of the problem is that the players here don't have enough confidence in themselves. Results like the ones against Neath, Newcastle, Pau and Caerphilly will show the players they can compete with the clubs in other countries.
'These victories will not only give the players in Italy more confidence, but will also heighten their enthusiasm. That is really important for me because I believe in the players in Italy.
'I was a very happy man at the weekend. Treviso played more than 35 minutes of real time rugby and were very comfortable at that level.
'We played 39 mintues in the Test against Australia and the Italian players don't have a problem playing at that intensity. The only problem we have is that they don't play at that level often enough.
'Treviso are in good form at the moment and Craig Green has got them playing really well. They are enjoying their rugby and Newcastle will have to play really well in the second leg to go through.
'Every Italian side will go into next week's return matches determined to hang in there and I'm hoping we can build on last weekend's successes - it is vital for the national side.'
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