Paul Merson believes England's meeting with Italy will be their first real test since their World Cup disappointment last year.
Roy Hodgson's side have bounced back well from their group stage exit in Brazil by winning all five of their Euro2016 qualifiers thus far but former Arsenal midfielder Merson feels the Azzurri will provide a much sterner examination.
England have beaten the likes of San Marino, Slovenia, Estonia and Lithuania in Euro qualifying but Merson feels the Italians will truly show where they stand after losing 2-1 in Manaus in June.
"You can't read too much into the Lithuania game because they were such a poor side," said the Sky Sports pundit.
"These types of friendlies are games where you should go and make an impression at the very least.
"It was only last year that we lost to Italy in the World Cup, so for me this is a real benchmark for how much England have actually improved and to see where we are against the bigger teams."
