Scrum-half Paul Griffen and fit-again lock Carlo Del Fava have been added to Italy's squad to face Ireland in Rome.
Bortolami and Mercato injury doubts ahead of fixture in Rome
Italy coach Nick Mallett has called up scrum-half Paul Griffen and second-rower Carlo Del Fava ahead of the clash with Ireland.
The duo have been added to the squad for next Sunday's match in Rome following the 36-11 defeat to England on the opening weekend of this season's RBS Six Nations.
Mallett's decision to call up Griffen follows his failed experiment with flanker Mauro Bergamasco wearing the number nine shirt at Twickenham.
Having won his previous 69 caps in the pack, Bergamasco struggled to adapt to his new role and was taken off after 40 minutes.
Griffen had been left out, despite injuries to Simon Piccone, Pietro Travagli and Pablo Cannavosio, because the Italian coach only wanted to consider players who would be around for the 2011 World Cup.
Lock Del Fava has been drafted straight back into the international fold after recovering from injury.
Italy have fitness doubts over fly-half Andrea Marcato, who has undergone tests after taking a blow to the head in the loss to England, and Marco Bortolami ahead of the visit of Ireland.
