Milan - Veteran flanker Mauro Bergamasco has been called up to the Italy squad for their Six Nations match against Wales.
The 33-year-old, who has 93 caps, was left out of Jacques Brunel's squad for the opening two matches against France and Scotland but has been called up largely as cover for captain Sergio Parisse.
Parisse is facing the threat of a suspension after he was sent off for allegedly insulting the referee while playing for Stade Francais against Bordeaux on Saturday. Parisse has professed his innocence.
This Six Nations tournament is the first in several years in which Italy started without either of the Bergamasco brothers, as Mirco is injured.
The Italians stunned France 23-18 in Rome but were overwhelmed 34-10 by Scotland at Murrayfield.
Italy 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)