Italy recall Bergamasco for England at Twickenham

Italy have recalled Mauro Bergamasco for their Six Nations Championship match against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Thirty-five-year-old Zebre flanker Bergamasco will win his 101st cap having come into the starting line up replacing Alessandro Zanni.

Zanni was injured in Italy’s 3-26 loss to Ireland in last week’s Six Nations opening match.

Another veteran brought back into the starting XV is 34-year-old Marco Bortolami, who will win his 111th cap in the second-row alongside George Biagi following an injury to Quintin Geldenhuys.

Coach Jacques Brunel, disappointed by the performance against the reigning Six Nations champion Irish, in all made six changes to his lineup.

Luke McLean switches from wing to full-back in place of Andrea Masi who takes over at centre from Michele Campagnaro.

Apart from Bergamasco and Bortolami, the new faces are Giovanbattista Venditti on the wing in place of McLean and loose-head prop Alberto De Marchi taking over from Matias Aguero.

Italy

Luke Mclean; Leonardo Sarto, Luca Morisi, Andrea Masi, Giovambattista Venditti; Kelly Haimona, Edoardo Gori; Sergio Parisse (capt), Mauro Bergamasco, Francesco Minto; Marco Bortolami, George Fabio Biagi; Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Alberto De Marchi

Replacements: Andrea Manici, Matias Aguero, Dario Chistolini, Joshua Furno, Samuela Vunisa, Guglielmo Palazzani, Tommaso Allan, Giulio Bisegni