RUGBY:Pierre Berbizier has selected his strongest available side for tomorrow night's pre-World Cup Test with Ireland at Ravenhill. John O'Sullivanreports
The Italy coach had to plan without four high-profile players in Mauro Bergamasco, Ramiro Pez, Andrea Masi and Santiago Dellape, all ruled out with "niggling injuries".
Berbizier's Irish counterpart Eddie O'Sullivan, meanwhile, will be without his replacement flanker Stephen Ferris, who is deemed unfit to take his place on the bench.
Berbizier is confident the Italians are capable of mustering a competitive performance against the hosts.
The former French international scrumhalf and coach admitted: "At this moment, this is my strongest XV; some of my players have some niggling injuries and I don't want to risk them.
"I also want to see all the players before the World Cup starts and to maintain the spirit within the group. It is a good opportunity for the players and the team to express themselves (individually and collectively)."
Given the injury constraints, it ensures six changes from the team that beat Japan 36-12 recently.
There are four alterations to the pack. Salvatore Perugini replaces Andrea Lo Cicero at loosehead prop and Saracens hooker Fabio Ongaro is preferred to Carlo Festuccia.
The absence of Dellape and Mauro Bergamasco means the former Italy under-21 captain Valerio Bernabo will partner Marco Bortolami in the second row, while Robert Barbieri will win his sixth cap at openside flanker.
At the other end of the experience scale, scrumhalf Alessandro Troncon will win his 97th cap tomorrow night and will be joined at halfback by Roland de Marigny in place of the injured Pez.
There is one change to the three- quarter line, Matteo Pratichetti being introduced on the left wing instead of Bristol's Marko Stanojevic.
Berbizier pointed out he is looking forward to an unfamiliar Test arena, the virtues of which he has already been apprised of.
"This is the first time for the team and myself to play a game at Ravenhill and I understand there is a special atmosphere and it will be good for my players to experience that.
"It is also vital for preparation for the World Cup to have a big match with a big-match atmosphere. We have made steady progress over the last few years in the Six Nations Championship but it is now time that we make an impact at the World Cup.
"The big game for us will be against Scotland but an important element for us is that we have three games in 11 days and it will be important that we use our group of players wisely and hope not to pick up any injuries.
"Ireland are a very good side and have been playing good rugby so it will be a tough game."
O'Sullivan endured a minor setback to his plans with the confirmation that Ferris would not be fit. Munster's Alan Quinlan will deputise as Ireland's reserves in this area are pared down considerably in the continuing absence of David Wallace.
Ferris's left knee flared up following a training session and a few days' rest was the prescribed course of action to allow the joint to recover properly. The big Ulsterman is expected to resume training next week.
It is the same knee on which he had an arthroscopy following damage in the second Test against Argentina during the summer. Ferris had rehabilitated well, completing a decent pre-season, and at this point is not considered a major injury concern.
O'Sullivan confirmed: "It is a big disappointment for Stephen not to be taking part in the game as I know he was looking forward to getting a chance to come on and perform in front of the Ulster crowd.
"The most prudent course of action was not to risk him so close to the World Cup and allow the knee time to settle down."
ITALY:D Bortolussi; K Robertson, G Canale, Mirco Bergamasco, M Pratichetti; R de Marigny, A Troncon; S Perugini, F Ongaro, M Castrogiovanni; V Bernabo, M Bortolami, A Zanni, R Barbieri, S Parisse. Replacements: L Ghiraldini, M Aguero, J Hole, M Vosawai, P Griffen, P Canavosio, E Galon.
