Italy coach Nick Mallett has called on Aironi and Treviso to ditch the foreign imports in favour of homegrown talent.
Azzurri coach wants more homegrown players given a chance
Italy coach Nick Mallett has called on Aironi and Treviso to ditch the foreign imports in favour of homegrown talent.
Mallett, who steps down after the World Cup, believes the progress of the Azzurri is being hampered by the decision of the domestic duo to recruit overseas players.
Mallett highlighted the problems he has faced with selection by the fact his fly-half for the 31-24 World Cup warm-up win over Japan, Riccardo Bocchino, has struggled for game time at Aironi.
"There's no doubts that he's a player with a bright future but it's difficult to say he's the solution to our problems at number 10," Mallett told
AFP.
Foreigners
"The problem at No.10 is a problem Italy has had for 10 years, the problem is top division teams have always signed contracts with foreigners to play at 10 who can't play for Italy.
"We saw the same problem at scrum-half for my first two years. I'm delighted we've found Gori and (Fabio) Semenzato.
"But the important thing is to give an opportunity to Italians in key positions at club level and especially at Celtic League level. That's nine, 10, second row, props, eight, in all of them we need Italians."
Tries from Matteo Pratichetti, Edoardo Gori, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Andrea Lo Cicero saw Italy to the win over the Japanese - although the Azzurri had to battle back from 17-14 down to clinch the victory.
