Six Nations: Four uncapped players have been named in Italy's squad for their opening two fixtures
Thursday 15 January 2015 16:07, UK
Italy coach Jacques Brunel has named four uncapped players in his 30-man squad for the opening two matches of the 2015 Six Nations Championship.
Centre Giulio Bisegni and his Zebre team-mate, wing Michele Visentin, plus the Calvisano scrum-half Marcellon Violi, have all been called into the squad for the first time.
And Benetton Treviso wing Simone Ragusi could make his debut, having been an unused member of the squad for the autumn internationals.
Violi is something of a surprise pick but Brunel said: “The tournament is the last real opportunity to test some young people who are proving to have interesting qualities in PRO12 or, as in the case of Violi, at the top of the Italian top division.
“For them it is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate their value in the year of the Rugby World Cup.”
Veteran flanker Mauro Bergamasco and wing Giovambattista Venditti missed the November Tests due to injury but have both been recalled to the squad.
Brunel said: “Mauro Bergamasco and Venditti, who has recently returned from injury, are two athletes with solid international experience, who can be of great help to the group in the weekly difficulties which await us.
"We didn't get to see them on the pitch in November against Samoa, Argentina and South Africa, and now is the moment to test their condition at the highest level."
Italy lost all their games in the 2014 Six Nations but triumphed the last time they played host to Ireland and open their campaign at home to the defending champions on 7 February, before facing England at Twickenham seven days later.
They will then have an away match in Scotland before finishing with home matches against France and Wales.
The players will meet up for a training camp between 25-28 January.
Italy squad:
Forwards: M Aguero, M Castrogiovanni, D Chistolini, A De Marchi, L Ghiraldini, A Manici, G Biagi, M Bortolami, J Furno, Q Geldenhuys, R Barbieri, M Bergamasco, S Favaro, F Minto, S Parisse (c), A Zanni.
Backs: E Gori, G Palazzani, M Violi, T Allan, K Haimona, G Bisegni, M Campagnaro, A Masi, L McLean, L Morisi, S Ragusi, L Sarto, G Venditti, M Visentin.
