Castrogiovanni back in Italy squad

28 Feb 2012

Italy coach Jacques Brunel on Monday recalled prop Martin Castrogiovanni, one of four changes to his squad for the remaining Six Nations games against Wales and Scotland.

Castrogiovanni returns despite still recovering from the cracked rib he suffered in the 19-15 defeat by England.

Second-row forward Antonio Pavanello, injured in Saturday's 42-10 loss to Ireland, is replaced by Carlo Del Fava.

With flanker Mauro Bergamasco suspended, Brunel has called up Manoa Vosawai, while Bergamasco's brother, Mirco, returns for the first time since his shoulder injury at last year's World Cup.

Mauro Bergamasco was last week banned for a month after being cited for dangerous play during the Celtic League clash with Ospreys on February 17.

Brunel will announce his team to play Wales on March 7, three days before the visit to Cardiff.

Italy conclude their Six Nations campaign against Scotland in Rome on March 17.

Italy squad

Forwards: Fabio Staibano (Aironi), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing-Metro/FRA), Michele Rizzo (Treviso), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers/ENG), Tommaso D'Apice (Aironi), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Quintin Geldenhuys (Aironi), Cornelius Van Zyl (Treviso), Marco Bortolami (Aironi), Carlo Del Fava (Aironi), Robert Julian Barbieri (Treviso), Manoa Vosawai (Treviso), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Simone Favaro (Aironi), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/FRA, captain), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso)

Backs: Fabio Semenzato (Treviso), Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Kristopher Burton (Treviso), Tobias Botes (Treviso), Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont/FRA), Luca Morisi (Parma Crociati), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso), Giulio Toniolatti (Aironi), Mirco Bergamasco (Racing-Metro/FRA), Roberto Quartaroli (Aironi), Giovanbattista Venditti (Aironi), Andrea Masi (Aironi), Luke McLean (Treviso)