Italy v Samoa: Teams

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made six changes for Saturday's Test against Samoa in Ascoli.

After losing to South Africa last time out, Mallett had initially planned to revert back to the starting XV that lost 20-6 to New Zealand in Milan a fortnight ago.

However captain Sergio Parisse has been ruled out after injuring his right knee during training.

Mallett is desperate to win the match and end a 13 game run of defeats. Italy's last win was the 13-12 victory over Argentina in June 2008.

Flanker Mauro Bergamasco, center Gonzalo Canale, scrum-half Tito Tebaldi and wing Kaine Robertson return having been left out of the starting line-up for the 32-10 loss to South Africa in Udine on Saturday.

In the front row Leonardo Ghiraldini takes over at hooker between prop forwards Martin Castrogiovanni and Salvatore Perugini.

Against New Zealand and South Africa the scrum was Italy's undoubted strong point and on a number of occasions the pack forced the All Blacks and Springboks front rows into conceding penalties.

Ex-Australia rugby league captain Craig Gower will hope to continue his rugby union education following mixed performances against New Zealand and South Africa.

Despite setting up Gonzalo Garcia for his try against the South Africa, he has failed to spark the backline in the way Mallett hoped, whilst his kicking both from hand and at goal has been poor.

In Udine he and full-back Luke McLean missed two penalty kicks apiece, costing Italy 12 points.

Rovigo fly-half Riccardo Bocchino has been included on the bench.

Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Salvatore Perugini
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Ignacio Rouyet, 18 Josh Sole, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Simon Piccone, 21 Riccardo Bocchino, 22 Alberto Sgarbi

Samoa: 15 Titi Esau, 14 Henry Fa'fili, 13 Gavin Williams, 12 Seilala Mapasua, 11 David Lemi, 10 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 9 Junior Polu, 8 Henry Tuilagi, 7 Ofisa Treviranus, 6 George Stowers (c), 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Justin Va'a, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Census Johnson.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Williams, 17 Sakaria Taulafo, 18 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 19 Misioka Tomoteo, 20 Semiperive Semeane, 21 Uale Mai, 22 Lucky Munipola.