Match-starved Wallabies enforcer James Horwill is champing at the bit to get stuck into Italy in Saturday night's Test at Canberra Stadium.

Horwill's outstanding 2008 season was cut short by a foot injury which denied the big lock a well-deserved place on the Wallabies' spring tour and he is hungry to make up for lost time.

"It's been a long time since I played a Test," the 24-year-old said on Friday.

"Unfortunately, I missed out late last year due to injury and I guess that's something that happens to everyone.

"But I'm really happy to be here now and I just want to make the most of this opportunity and hopefully there'll be a lot more to come."

There seems little doubt about that.

It is testament to the enormity of Horwill's contribution in his first full season as a Wallaby last year that, as well as being one of just four players to start in every Test during the domestic season, he also finished 2008 as Australia's equal-leading tryscorer.

He bagged four, matching the tally of centre Ryan Cross, to earn rich praise from Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock, who could only manage three despite lining up in the centres.

"There's no jealousy. I love it when my piggies are scoring tries," Mortlock said on Friday.

"It means they're doing well. Big Kev (Horwill), he's a try sneak and likewise Benny A (Alexander) knows how to find the line.

"That's a real positive reflection of the group dynamic at the moment. Everyone's trying really hard to work hard on their skills and to test the opposition whenever we see opportunities.

"And to do that the forwards have to have the skills and the willingness."

Mortlock also believes Horwill, who had a reputation as a firebrand in his early years of Super 14 and Test rugby, has matured immensely since being handed the Queensland captaincy last season.

"He's been exposed to the leadership at the Reds at a young age and that's really been positive for him," Mortlock said.

"He is a guy who leads from the front, leads by example. He's got that steely resolve that you like to have in your tight forwards.

"Yet, with that, his ability to find the line and be in the right spot is also a great asset for a tight forward."

Horwill believes he used his time on the sidelines constructively to become a more complete player.

"I worked pretty hard over the off-season on a couple of things I thought I could improve on - getting stronger, fitter, faster," he said.

"Every footballer out there would want to do that."

Horwill is relishing the prospect of going toe to toe with the rugged Italian forwards.

"The Italian pack is going to be a big challenge for us, at set piece and also around the park," he said.

"They're a big bunch of guys and we really need to be on our game. We've got to physically front up and make sure we can get a good platform for the guys out wide.

"It's going to be an exciting game but hopefully we can get on top of the forwards.

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