2008 Six Nations Championship Squads - Italy

Italy

Squad announced 9 January 2008, accessed from BBC. Nick Mallett decided to drop Denis Dallan, Enrico Patrizio, Ludovico Nitoglia, Ramiro Pez, Robert Barbieri and Antonio Pavanello from the original squad, while former captain Marco Bortolami is out for the first half of the tournament with an eye injury. Carlos Nieto missed the game against Ireland because of the death of his father, meaning Lorenzo Cittadini took his place on the bench. He then returned for their match against England. On the announcement of Italy's squad for their game against Wales, Matteo Pratichetti, Kaine Robertson and Pablo Canavosio were ruled out with minor injuries, Enrico Patrizio and Ludovico Nitoglia were recalled due to this. Meanwhile David Bortolussi was injured in training and ruled out for the rest of the tournament, Paolo Buso took his place in the squad. Also with the return of Marco Bortolami to full fitness, Tommaso Reato lost his place in the squad. But then Ludovico Nitoglia once again lost his place in squad, this time to Alessio Galante

On 27 February, Mauro Bergamasco was handed a 13-week ban for gouging Wales' Lee Byrne during the teams' match.

Head Coach: Nick Mallett

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Carlo Festuccia Hooker 20 June 1980 39 Métro Racing
Leonardo Ghiraldini Hooker 26 December 1984 5 Calvisano
Fabio Ongaro Hooker 23 September 1977 18 Saracens
Martin Castrogiovanni Prop 21 October 1981 45 Leicester
Lorenzo Cittadini Prop 17 December 1982 0 Calvisano
Andrea Lo Cicero Prop 7 May 1976 67 Métro Racing
Carlos Nieto Prop 25 June 1976 21 Gloucester
Salvatore Perugini Prop 6 March 1978 44 Toulouse
Marco Bortolami Lock 12 June 1980 67 Gloucester
Carlo Del Fava Lock 1 July 1981 21 Ulster
Santiago Dellapè Lock 9 May 1978 44 Biarritz
Antonio Pavanello Lock 13 October 1982 0 Treviso
Tommaso Reato Lock 12 May 1984 0 Rugby Rovigo
Robert Barbieri Flanker 5 June 1984 0 Treviso
Mauro Bergamasco Flanker 1 May 1979 58 Stade Français
Josh Sole Flanker 15 February 1980 21 Viadana
Alessandro Zanni Flanker 31 January 1984 16 Calvisano
Jaco Erasmus Number 8 31 July 1979 2 Viadana
Sergio Parisse (c) Number 8 13 September 1983 42 Stade Français
Simon Picone Scrum-half 26 September 1982 10 Treviso
Pietro Travagli Scrum-half 28 April 1981 2 Rugby Parma
Paolo Buso Fly-half 28 July 1986 1 Calvisano
Andrea Masi Fly-half 30 March 1981 31 Biarritz
Ramiro Pez Fly-half 6 December 1978 40 Venezia Mestre
Mirco Bergamasco Centre 23 February 1983 44 Stade Français
Gonzalo Canale Centre 11 November 1982 33 Clermont
Pablo Canavosio Centre 26 December 1981 16 Castres
Denis Dallan Centre 4 March 1978 40 Stade Français
Enrico Patrizio Centre 15 January 1985 1 Petrarca Rugby
Alessio Galante Wing 24 October 1983 0 Gran Parma
Ezio Galon Wing 22 July 1977 11 Rugby Parma
Ludovico Nitoglia Wing 27 October 1983 10 Calvisano
Matteo Pratichetti Wing 27 July 1985 7 Calvisano
Kaine Robertson Wing 29 October 1980 23 Viadana
Alberto Sgarbi Wing 26 November 1986 0 Treviso
David Bortolussi Fullback 21 July 1981 10 Montpellier
Andrea Marcato Fullback 13 April 1983 2 Treviso

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