Mallett trims Italy squad ahead of Ireland
02 February 2010 (17:14)
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| Nick Mallett © Gallo Images |
Italy coach Nick Mallett on Tuesday trimmed his squad to 24
players ahead of Saturday's Six Nations opener against reigning
champions Ireland in Dublin.
The South African had been working with a 30-man squad since
Sunday but has now let lock Antonio Pavanello, back-rowers Simone
Favaro and Manoa Vosawai, flyhalf Andrea Marcato, and utility
backs Matteo Pratichetti and Michele Sepe to join the reserves for
their match against England Saxons in Rome on Sunday.
Mallett will announce his team to face Ireland on Thursday
before the team departs to Dublin.
Italy's main worry is over former Australian rugby league star
Craig Gower, who is suffering from a knee injury.
The 31 year old, who has played for Bayonne in France since
switching codes and qualifies for Italy through a grandfather, did
not train on Tuesday.
"Craig is still recovering and we preferred not to rush him
back," said team doctor Roberto Pozzoni.
"We can make a final decision regarding his involvement on
Friday in Dublin following the last training session."
Squad:
Forwards (13): Matias Aguero (Saracens/ENG), Mauro Bergamasco
(Stade Francais/FRA), Marco Bortolami (Gloucester/ENG), Martin
Castrogiovanni (Leicester/ENG), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Carlo
Antonio Del Fava (Viadana), Paul Derbyshire (Padova), Quintin
Geldenhuys (Viadana), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso, capt.), Fabio
Ongaro (Saracens/ENG), Salvatore Perugini (Bayonne/FRA), Josh Sole
(Viadana), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso)
Backs (11): Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais/FRA), Riccardo
Bocchino (Rovigo), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont/FRA), Gonzalo Garcia
(Treviso), Craig Gower (Bayonne/FRA), Andrea Masi (Racing
Metro/FRA), Luke McLean (Treviso), Simon Picone (Treviso), Kaine
Robertson (Viadana), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso), Tito Tebaldi (Parma)
Read more on the Six Nations page.
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