Erasmus answers Italy call

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named uncapped forward Jacobus Erasmus in his 22-man squad ahead of the Six Nations game against France in Paris.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named uncapped forward Jacobus Erasmus in his 22-man squad ahead of the Six Nations game against France in Paris on March 9.

The Montepaschi Viadana number-eight joins recalled Saracens hooker Fabio Ongaro in the camp and will begin training with the Azzurri on March 2 in Rome.

The Italians are still without injured duo David Bortolussi and Pablo Canavosio but welcome back New Zealand-born winger Kaine Robertson, who missed last weekend's 47-8 defeat against Wales in Cardiff through injury.

Italy will be looking for their first win in the tournament when they travel to the Stade de France.

However, Mallett has left flank Mauro Bergamasco and lock Carlo Antonio del Fava out of the squad as a precaution with both players attending a disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday.

Full squad:

Backs: Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont-Auvergne), Ezio Galon (Overmach Cariparma), Andrea Masi (Biarritz), Kaine Robertson (Arix Viadana), Andrea Marcato (Treviso), Simon Picone (Treviso), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso), Enrico Patrizio (Petrarca Padova), Jacobus Erasmus (Montepaschi Viadana), Alessio Galante (Rolly Gran Parma).

Forwards: Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Calvisano), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro Paris), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais), Fabio Ongaro (Saracens), Salvatore Perugini (Toulouse), Josh Sole (Arix Viadana), Alessandro Zanni (Calvisano), Marco Bortolami (Gloucester), Carlos Nieto (Gloucester), Pietro Travagli (Overmach Cariparma).