Ireland-born Ian McKinley set to make Italy debut against Fiji
Thursday 9 November 2017 15:25, UK
Irish-born fly-half Ian McKinley could make his Italy debut against Fiji on Saturday after he was named among the replacements.
The 27-year-old was initially forced to retire after losing the sight in his left eye six years ago but he has since resurrected his career in Italy.
Jayden Hayward starts at full-back for his first cap, the 30-year-old Kiwi having also qualified to represent Italy through the controversial three-year residency rule.
Wing Mattia Bellini makes his return after 18 months out with a knee ligament injury while the uncapped Giovanni Licata and Matteo Minozzi join McKinley on the bench.
Captain Sergio Parisse, veteran of 126 caps, returns after sitting out the tour in June, during which Italy lost 22-19 against Fiji in Suva.
Parisse partners Francesco Minto and Abraham Steyn in the back row with Carlo Canna forming a half-back partnership with Marcello Violi.
Italy: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Tommaso Boni, 12 Tomasso Castello, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Marcello Violi; 1 Andrea Lovotti, 2 Luca Bigi, 3 Simone Ferrari, 4 Marco Fuser, 5 Dean Budd, 6 Francesco Minto, 7 Abraham Steyn, 8 Sergio Parisse (c).
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Marco Lazzaroni, 20 Giovanni Licara, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Ian McKinley, 23 Matteo Minozzi.
