Two debutants for Italy in Six Nations clash with Scotland
Wednesday 25 February 2015 14:51, UK
Italy coach Jacques Brunel has included two uncapped players as part of six changes to his starting XV to face Scotland in Saturday's Six Nations match at Murrayfield.
Benetton Treviso centre Enrico Bacchin and Zebre winger Michele Visentin will earn their first caps.
Bacchin is to step in for Andrea Masi, who is injured, while Zebre's Dario Chistolini will replace Martin Castrogiovanni.
Toulon prop Castrogiovanni is out after being attacked by a dog in a domestic incident and needing 14 stitches.
Zebre prop Matias Aguero will replace Alberto De Marchi, who drops to the bench. Aguero started in the Azzurri's opening defeat to Ireland in Rome.
Joshua Furno has replaced veteran lock Marco Bortolami, who is sidelined with a muscular injury.
Benetton Treviso flanker Simone Favaro returns to play for the Azzurri for the first time since the Autumn Test against Argentina in November, taking over from veteran Mauro Bergamasco, who has been dropped.
Italy began their Six Nations campaign with a 26-3 loss to Ireland and they next fell 47-17 to England at Twickenham.
"Scotland is a team that we have struggled to beat in recent years," Brunel said. "They have also lost their opening two games - but not by a big margin.
"They were in the game against France and they dominated against Wales but then had problems.
"They don't seem to have major weaknesses. It's going to be a difficult game. But I expect a lot more from my team."
The Azzurri have won seven and lost 15 of their 22 meetings with Scotland. Their last triumph against the Scots was in Rome three years ago.
Italy have won just once at Murrayfield, a 37-17 triumph in 2007.
Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Michele Visentin, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Enrico Bacchin, 11 Giovambattista Venditti, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori; 1 Matias Aguero, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3 Dario Chistolini, 4 George Fabio Biagi, 5 Joshua Furno, 6 Francesco Minto, 7 Simone Favaro, 8 Sergio Parisse (capt).
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Marco Fuser, 20 Samuela Vunisa, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Giulio Bisegni.
