Rugby – Six Nations:Italy's inspirational captain Sergio Parisse has recovered from a hand injury and was named alongside outhalf Kristopher Burton in the starting XV to face Ireland in their Six Nations opener on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm Irish time).
Widely regarded as one of the best number eights in the world, Parisse will lead out a side at Rome's Stadio Flaminio showing four changes from the win over Fiji last time out.
Edoardo Gori, who made his debut in the November tests despite not being a regular for Magners League side Treviso, continues at scrumhalf but Australian-born outhalf Burton has surprisingly been preferred to Luciano Orquera and will pick up his fifth cap.
Italy are bidding to avoid another Six Nations wooden spoon under coach Nick Mallett, whose future after September's World Cup is in doubt, following a long series of dogged defeats for a rugby nation no longer considered to be emerging.
Experienced flanker Mauro Bergamasco and outhalf Craig Gower have all but certainly been ruled out of the Six Nations through injury but will hope to make comebacks in time for the World Cup in New Zealand.
Italy team (v Ireland):Luke McLean, Andrea Masi, Gonzalo Canale, Alberto Sgarbi, Mirco Bergamasco, Kristopher Burton, Edoardo Gori, Sergio Parisse (captain), Alessandro Zanni, Josh Sole, Quintin Geldenhuys, Santiago Dellape, Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Salvatore Perugini
Replacements:Fabio Ongaro, Andrea Lo Cicero, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Valerio Bernabo, Pablo Canavosio, Luciano Orquera, Gonzalo Garcia
