Rugby: Italy unchanged for France
Mallett keeps faith with side that beat Scotland
12 March, 17:22
(ANSA) - Rome, March 12 - Italy coach Nick Mallett on Friday
named an unchanged squad to take on Six Nations leader France in
Paris Sunday.Mallett said he had "full confidence" in the men who beat Scotland 16-12 at the Flaminio two weeks ago, Italy's first win in two years. Against the flying French Italy will be bidding to equal their best-ever Six Nations year, 2007, when they won two games - although many pundits reckon they have a slightly better chance against Wales on March 20.
Winger Andrea Masi gets his 50th cap in the city where he plays his club rugby for Racing Metro Paris. Stade Francais flanker Mauro Bergamasco earns his 83th cap, joining former No.8 Carlo Checchinato in second place behind legendary scrum-half Alessandro Troncon (101 caps) in the all-time standings. Here is the squad: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Andrea Masi, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Alessandro Zanni, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (captain), 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 19 Paul Derbyshire, 20 Pablo Canavosio, 21 Riccardo Bocchino, 22 Kaine Robertson.
photo: Mallett
