The two men who fight for the No.3 shirt at Leicester Tigers will line up on opposite sides of the front row today when Italy host England in the Six Nations in Rome.

Martin Castrogiovanni and Dan Cole will take a break from forming the most feared club tight-head double act this side of the equator, and will face each other in different-coloured shirts.

Both players will be telling their country's team-mates all about the other as they prepare to do battle.

Tigers hooker George Chuter knows them both very well, and he gave us an insight into what they are like, both on and off the pitch.

QWhat are they like away from Welford Road?

AThey are both pretty boring. I can't understand what Castro says most of the time but I assume he is boring. Coley wants to talk about car engines all the time. He thinks he is an all-knowing encyclopedia on them.

QWhat do they do in their spare time?

ACastro is busy losing money at his restaurant (Timo's) because he eats them out of house and home. Coley is more secretive but he has been boring everyone about how he has got snow tyres on his Fiat Panda. I don't think it has come out of the garage yet, I think he is still driving around in his flash Jaguar.

QThey seem to have very different personalities. Is that true?

APeople assume Coley is very quiet but he has a dry sense of humour. He hasn't got great banter but he tries hard. If you saw him in public, he is quite a shy bloke and wouldn't say boo to a goose, but he can be cutting when you get to know him. Castro is exuberant to look at, with his flowing hair and big beard, but he is actually quieter than you think. That's probably because he can't speak English!

QBecause they are always fighting for the same shirt at Leicester, do they get on?

AThey are not bosom buddies and, in their position, they could easily be very competitive and not speak to each other. But they appreciate the wider needs of the club and that the team comes first. They are happy to share time and techniques with each other, which is great and a credit to them as a professionals.

QHow do their games differ on the pitch?

ACastro is probably more of a ball carrier but Coley is a converted No.8, so he has the ability to carry the ball too. You just don't see it as much. They both have the ability to play the same game if needed. Coley can carry the ball and Castro can hit rucks. They can both scrummage and bring out the best of their own natural abilities. They are two of the best tight-heads in world rugby, and they are both here at Leicester, which is great for the club.

QHow long will they stay at Leicester?

AWe expect to get a long service out of both of them. Because only one of them can start every week, they are not flogging themselves to death week in, week out. That will prolong their careers. They have both been here for years and are well doctrinated in what we expect from them.

QTell us something we don't already know about them

AColey has a picture of Hulk Hogan on his bedroom wall, and Castro enjoys pina coladas.