Solid look to Italian XV
February 04 2010
Italy have named their strongest available side for the Six Nations opener against Grand Slam holders Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday.
Without the sizeable figure of talismanic captain Sergio Parisse, coach Nick Mallett has shifted Alessandro Zanni into the number eight role with Leonardo Ghiraldini captaining the Azzurri.
The hooker is at the centre of an experienced front-row that includes Salvatore Perugini and Martin Castrogiovanni while Quintin Geldenhuys and Carlo Antonio Del Fava star at lock in Dublin.
Wider out, Mallett has gone for the muscle of Mirco Bergamasco on the wing ahead of Matteo Pratichetti, with the Stade Francais man joining Kaine Robertson and Luke McLean at the back.
Saturday's 22 is the same squad that beat Samoa in November - a result which ended a 13-match winless streak yet they head into the tournament looking to improve after wooden-spoon performances in 2008 and 2009.
Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Alessandro Zanni, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (capt), 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Marco Bortolami, 19 Paul Derbyshire, 20 Simon Picone, 21 Riccardo Bocchino, 22 Andrea Masi.
Date: Saturday, February 6
Kick-off: 14:30
Venue: Croke Park