Mallett's midfield move
Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:24
Italian coach Nick Mallett has switched Stade Francais centre Mirco Bergamasco back to his favoured position, in one of four changes to the team that faces the Pacific Islanders at Reggio Emilia on Saturday.
The South African had been using Bergamasco as a left wing, a move which worked well against Australia two weeks ago as the 25-year-old scored a second-half try.
But Italy's midfield looked decidedly weak against Argentina last Saturday and Mallett has responded by bringing Bergamasco inside and moving Matteo Pratichetti from outside centre to the wing.
Overmach Parma's Pietro Travagli also comes into the backline at scrumhalf to replace Pablo Canavosio, over whom there is still a slight fitness doubt.
Canavosio may start on the bench, but if not his place will go to youngster Giulio Toniolatti, who has just one cap to his name.
In the pack Tommaso Reato will make his first start in an Italy shirt at lock, as he replaces the injured Carlo Del Fava, alongside Gloucester captain Marco Bortolami, who will be earning his 70th cap.
The final change sees Leonardo Ghiraldini coming back into the team at hooker in place of Saracens's Fabio Ongaro.
The side will again be captained by Argentine-born Stade Francais No.8 Sergio Parisse.
Both sides come into the match off the back of two successive defeats in the past two weeks, Italy losing 20-30 to Australia and 14-22 to Argentina - while the Pacific Islanders went down 13-39 to England and 17-42 against France.
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Mirco Bergamasco, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Matteo Pratichetti, 10 Andrea Marcato, 9 Pietro Travagli, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Tommaso Reato, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18 Salvatore Perugini, 19 Alessandro
Zanni, 20 Pablo Canavosio/Giulio Toniolatti, 21 Luke McLean, 22 Riccardo Pavan.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Stadio Giglio, Reggio Emilio
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: Christophe Berdos, Hugh Watkins (Wales)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)
