Called up: Mauro Bergamasco
Italy coach Jacques Brunel named veteran flank Mauro Bergamasco in his 31-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations clash against Wales at Rome's Olympic Stadium.
Bergamasco, a regular favourite with people who like to bet on rugby, was left out of Italy's opening two Six Nations matches, a victory over France and then a defeat away to Scotland, but has been called up mainly as cover for captain Sergio Parisse.
Parisse is facing a possible ban for the February 23 date against Wales after he insulted the referee and was sent off while playing for Stade Francais at the weekend.
Bergamasco has appeared 93 times for Italy since making his debut in 1998.
His brother and fellow international Mirco, is currently sidelined with injury.
Despite starting as underdogs with bookmakers like Paddy Power, Italy beat France 23-18 in Rome two weeks ago before succumbing to a 34-10 to Scotland at Murrayfield last week.
Italy squad:
Forwards (18): Roberto Barbieri (Treviso), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester/ENG), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Alberto De Marchi (Treviso), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Simone Favaro (Treviso), Joshua Furno (Narbonne/FRA), Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Davide Giazzon (Zebre), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing-Metro), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/FRA), 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/FRA), Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre), Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Tommaso Iannone (Treviso), Andrea Masi (London Wasps/ENG), Luke McLean (Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Zebre), Luca Morini (Treviso), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre)
Comments
dan73 says...
Ghiraldini is a very good captain...
Posted 13:48 18th February 2013
Lucasrg says...
To be honest even if Sergio is banned, Barbieri can fulfill perfectly the n8 position. Barbieri might no be as complete as Parisse is, but he is at his prime. A dominant defender and a very powerful ball carrier. The backrow is the least JB has to worry about it.
M.Bergamasco is someone who can motivate the players around and pretty intense when it comes to big games....but he can loose his temper quickly if things go wrong.
Posted 12:40 18th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Ban him for his next Stade France game, or let it go. He got sent off. That's enough. May as well give Wales the win if they ban him.
Posted 22:29 17th February 2013
melkdave says...
I can understand his call up ,as coverLosing S.Parisee would be a big blow to ItalyCant see Parisee not being banned to be honest,the one thing you just cant do is actually insult the referee,despite of what you may think of his game management.Irb will have no option,but to show support for the referee
Posted 17:34 17th February 2013