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Mallet names Italy RWC squad

Rome - Italy surprisingly left out reserve flyhalf Kristopher Burton as they named their 30-man World Cup squad on Friday, with coach Nick Mallett setting the quarterfinals as their target.

The Italians are already without flyhalf Craig Gower, who ruled himself out of the tournament in New Zealand last month after failing to recover sufficiently from a knee ligament operation late last year.

Riccardo Bocchino and Argentine-born Luciano Orquera were the two flyhalves named in squad which also included surprise uncapped pair Tommaso D'Apice and Cornelius Van Zyl.

"From our point of view, Orquera is the most complete player for the number 10 and....Riccardo Bocchino has in these weeks shown great determination and will to mature and be part of the 30," said South African Mallett.

Australian-born Burton had been among the 36 players who have been training for the tournament and which was whittled down to the final 30 by Mallett on Friday.

Prop Andrea Lo Cicero and flanker Mauro Bergamasco will both be heading for their fourth World Cup.

"This group is the result of four years of work," said Mallett, who will not be continuing after the World Cup.

"We have no doubt that the quarter-finals are within our capabilities."

Italy have never reached the last eight of the tournament and face a stiff task to do so in New Zealand having been grouped with Australia, Ireland, United States and Russia, with only two to advance

They finished bottom of this year's Six Nations, though they did beat France in Rome, and will play two warm-up tests against Japan and Scotland next month.

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