Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has made three changes for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Scotland in Rome.
Montpellier full-back Cristian Stoica returns to the side, replacing Ezio Galon after last weekend’s 18-18 draw with Wales in Cardiff, while Martin Castrogiovanni takes over from injured prop Carlos Nieto and hooker Fabio Ongaro is preferred to Carlo Festuccia.
Italy will avoid finishing bottom and enduring another wooden spoon campaign if they beat Scotland and defending Six Nations champions Wales lose at home to title favourites France.
Italy team to play Scotland on Saturday:
C Stoica (Montpellier); P Canavosio (Calvisano), G Canale (Clermont Auvergne), Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), L Nitoglia (Calvisano); R Pez (Perpignan), P Griffen (Calvisano); S Perugini (Calvisano), F Ongaro (Benetton Treviso), M Castrogiovanni (Calvisano), S Dellape (Agen), M Bortolami (Narbonne, capt), S Parisse (Stade Francais), M Zaffiri (Calvisano), J Sole (Viadana).
Replacements: C Festuccia (Gran Parma), A Lo Cicero (L’Aquila), C Del Fava (Bourgoin), A Zanni (Calvisano), S Picone (Benetton Treviso), R Wakarua (Gran Parma), E Galon (Overmach Parma).
