Italy coach Jacques Brunel has included suspended skipper Sergio Parisse in his 31-man squad ahead of next week's Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham.
Parisse is currently serving a 30-day ban for insulting a referee but has nevertheless been included in the hope that his appeal against the ban is successful.
The squad that lost to Wales is otherwise unchanged.
Italy squad:
Forwards (18): Roberto Barbieri (Treviso), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Alberto De Marchi (Treviso), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Simone Favaro (Treviso), Joshua Furno (Narbonne), Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Davide Giazzon (Zebre), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing-Metro), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso), Michele Rizzo (Treviso), Ratu Manoa Vosawai (Treviso), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso), Mauro Bergamasco (Zebre).
Backs (13):Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Tobias Botes (Treviso), Kris Burton (Treviso), Paolo Buso (Zebre), Gonzalo Canale (La Rochelle), Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre), Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Tommaso Iannone (Treviso), Andrea Masi (London Wasps), Luke McLean (Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Zebre), Luca Morini (Treviso), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre).
Comments
melkdave says...
That Parisee is in the squad just shows how much Italy are missing his leadership.Think it was a big mistake making Castro captain,he has commitment ,and passion ect,.But his game collaspsed ,with no one to rein him in,and it cost Italy the foundation of their game "The Scrum"Agree with @Macte capataincy should have gone to Zanni.Very hard game for them now against England ,and i expect a litle bit of panic in the squad.England still could come a cropper ,and will have to battle hard for the victory.But i dont see England falling for Italy being an easier game .Again if i was SLand Co id being showing videos of just how good Italy where in the aurtum,espically against Australia.
Posted 15:47 27th February 2013
scrumdog says...
If he's stupid enough to insult a referee in a game (apparently not for the first time) where we are taught from an early age to have respect for match officials on the field, no matter what, and unequaled in any other sport, then he needs to serve the 30 days.
Posted 14:14 27th February 2013
macte says...
He has been missed mainly for his leadership and captaincy, imo. Castrogiovanni is definitly not a captain. Of course he has a lot of commitment, but he lacks the leadership. Ahead of Castro I would've chosen Zanni or Canale.
Posted 13:48 27th February 2013
Rugby_rockstar says...
Hmmm, they need him.
The Italian performance vs Wales was incredibly sloppy.
Posted 13:06 27th February 2013