Italy rugby coach names Bergamasco in Wales squad

MILAN (AFP) –

Italian rugby player Mauro Bergamasco addresses a news conference in Dunedin, New Zealand on October 1, 2011. Italy coach Jacques Brunel has named the veteran flanker in his 31-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations clash against Wales at Rome’s Olympic Stadium.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel on Sunday named veteran flanker Mauro Bergamasco in his 31-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations clash against Wales at Rome’s Olympic Stadium.

Bergamasco was left out of Italy’s opening two Six Nations matches, a victory over France and then a defeat away to Scotland, but has been called up mainly as cover for captain Sergio Parisse.

Parisse is facing a possible ban for the February 23 date against Wales after he insulted the referee and was sent off while playing for Stade Francais at the weekend.

Bergamasco has appeared 93 times for Italy since making his debut in 1998.

His brother and fellow international Mirco, is currently sidelined with injury.

Italy beat France 23-18 in Rome two weeks ago before succumbing to a 34-10 to Scotland at Murrayfield last week.

Squad

Forwards (18): Roberto Barbieri (Treviso), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester/ENG), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Alberto De Marchi (Treviso), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Simone Favaro (Treviso), Joshua Furno (Narbonne/FRA), Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Davide Giazzon (Zebre), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing-Metro), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/FRA), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso), Michele Rizzo (Treviso), Ratu Manoa Vosawai (Treviso), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso), Mauro Bergamasco (Zebre)

Backs (13): Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Tobias Botes (Treviso), Kris Burton (Treviso), Paolo Buso (Zebre), Gonzalo Canale (La Rochelle/FRA), Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre), Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Tommaso Iannone (Treviso), Andrea Masi (London Wasps/ENG), Luke McLean (Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Zebre), Luca Morini (Treviso), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre)