Italy lose Captain Parisse for clash against Wales

Italy have lost their inspirational captain Sergio Parisse for their final Six Nations match at home against Wales but gained fly-half Kelly Haimona.

Parisse was forced off injured in Italy’s 29-0 defeat to France in Rome last week and has not recovered from an ankle injury in time, meaning Fijian-born Samuela Vunisa comes in at No. 8.

Haimona was dropped last week in favour of Tommaso Allan but, with the latter sidelined after suffering a hamstring tear in the defeat to France, the New Zealand-born number 10 returns to rekindle his half-back partnership with Edoardo Gori.

Italy have also made two changes to the front row, with Martin Castrogiovanni returning to the tighthead prop position and Michele Rizzo coming in for Dario Chistolini, who drops back to the replacements bench.

Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini takes over the captain’s armband from Parisse.

Parisse’s absence and Vunisa’s switch to the No.8 position means Italy coach Jacques Brunel has brought Mauro Bergamasco in at openside flanker in what will be a rare start for the 101-times capped veteran.

Italy beat Scotland 22-19 at Murrayfield three weeks ago to claim their first win of the campaign but despite sitting second bottom of the table two points ahead of the winless Scots, they remain in danger of finishing with the wooden spoon for the second successive year.

Scotland are at home to title-chasing Ireland in Edinburgh.

Team

Luke McLean; Leonardo Sarto, Luca Morisi, Andrea Masi, Giovanbattista Venditti; Kelly Haimona, Edoardo Gori; Samuela Vunisa, Mauro Bergamasco, Francesco Minto; Joshua Furno, George Biagi; Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini (capt), Michele Rizzo

Replacements: Andrea Manici, Alberto De Marchi, Dario Chistolini, Quintin Geldenhuys, Roberto Barbieri, Guglielmo Palazzani, Luciano Orquera, Enrico Bacchin