Centre Juan Ignacio Brex will make his
Italy debut in their Six Nations opener against France in Rome
on Saturday after coach Franco Smith named him in his starting
line-up.
The 28-year-old is a naturalised Italian who was born in
Argentina.
He represented Argentina at several levels but never won a full
cap for the Pumas.
Number 8 Michele Lamaro, meanwhile, will make his first start
for the Azzurri after making two appearances as a substitute.
Italy are trying to end a Six Nations winless run that stretches
back to 2015.
Italy:
Trulla; Sperandio, Zanon, Brex Ioane; Garbisi, Varney; Lamaro,
Meyer, Negri; Sisi, Lazzaroni; Riccioni, Bigi (Captain), Traoré.
Replacements: Lucchesi, Fischetti, Zilocchi, Cannone, Ruzza,
Mbandà, Palazzani, Canna.
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