ITALY

News | Profile | Anthem | Fixtures | Results

Stade Français` loss is Italy`s gain

Tuesday 24th June 2008

Welcome return: Sergio Parisse will line up for Italy this weekend

Following Stade Français' loss to Toulouse in the Top 14 semi-final over the weekend, Italy coach Nick Mallett has called up captain Sergio Parisse and his club team-mates Mauro and Mirco Bergamasco for Saturday's Test against Argentina in Cordoba.

The trio were unable to play in Italy's brave 26-0 loss to South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday, but they are now available to join the team to take on the third-ranked Pumas.

Mallett said number eight Parisse would regain the captain's armband from stand-in skipper Leonardo Ghiraldini.

''Sergio is an essential reference point for this team, was the second best player of the Six Nations and I believe that all national teams, even the All Blacks, would have a number eight like him," Mallett said on the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) website.

"Leonardo has done very well as captain against South Africa. But this Saturday, as expected, the armband will return to Parisse''.

Flanker Mauro Bergamasco returns for the Azzurri after he was banned for 17 weeks for deliberately placing his finger in the eye of Wales full-back Lee Byrne during February's 47-8 Six Nations defeat in Cardiff.

"Mauro Bergamasco has not played very much over the last few months because of the ban and I think he can combine athletic freshness with a desire for redemption," said Mallett.

Argentina are also set to benefit from Stade Français' players returning to international duty with the likes of Juan Martin Hernandez, Pedro Ledesma and Rodrigo Roncero all set to line-up for their country, the Argentine Rugby Federation said on its website.