Six Nations
Mallett rings changes
2009-02-25 14:37
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Rome - Italy coach Nick Mallett made four changes plus a positional change to his team to face Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday.
In a match that is likely to see the losers finish with the competition's wooden spoon, South African Mallett was forced to make two changes in the backline due to injury and suspension.
New Zealand born winger Kaine Robertson was injured in the first half against Ireland 10 days ago and misses out so Mirco Bergamasco switches from inside centre to right wing.
Gonazalo Garcia has come back into the team to take over from Bergamasco at centre while Treviso fly-half Andrea Marcato replaces the suspended Andrea Masi at full-back.
Biarritz's Masi picked up a three-week ban for a high tackle on Ireland's Robert Kearney in the first minute of the last match that also saw him sin-binned at the time.
Marcato, who began Italy's first Six Nations match against England at fly-half, missed the Ireland game due to a knock he picked up against England, which forced him off at Twickenham.
Former Australian under-19 international Luke McLean took over from Marcato at number 10 and although he usually plays full-back for his club Calvisano, he keeps the fly-half spot while Marcato will play at 15.
The other two changes are in the forwards as hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini and Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami both make their comebacks from injury with Saracens's Fabio Ongaro and Tommaso Reato making way respectively.
Although Viadana scrum-half Pablo Canavosio is also back from injury, he has to settle for a place on the bench as Mallett keeps faith with veteran New Zealand born number nine Paul Griffen, who made his comeback against Ireland following 16 months in the international wilderness.
Team (15-1)
Andrea Marcato; Mirco Bergamasco, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Matteo Pratichetti; Luke McLean, Paul Griffen; Sergio Parisse (capt), Mauro Bergamasco, Alessandro Zanni; Marco Bortolami, Santiago Dellape; Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: Fabio Ongaro, Carlos Nieto, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Josh Sole, Pablo Canavosio, Andrea Bacchetti, Giulio Rubini.