Parisse returns to Italy squad

Sergio Parisse is back in the Italian squad ahead of the November test series. The Argentine-born Azzurri captain did not accompany new coach Conor O’Shea on Italy’s tour to the Americas in June, opting instead to rest with his workload being carefully managed in order to prolong his international career through to the 2019 World Cup. Parisse is joined by Toulouse hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini and 99-cap veteran Alessandro Zanni in a full strength Italian group to prepare for the matches against New Zealand, South Africa, and Tonga.

The roster is composed largely from Italy’s two regional Guinness Pro 12 sides, Benetton Treviso and Zebre, but also borrows players based in Scotland, France, and England. Three uncapped players are included, all from Treviso. Tighthead prop Simone Ferrari, scrumhalf Giorgio Bronzini, and winger Andrea Buondonno will all be hoping to make their test debuts during the challenging series. All are graduates of Italy national u20 program. Ferrari was part of the Americas tour but did not make a match appearance.

Most notable of those left out is Toronto-born loose forward Robert Barbieri. The former Canadian age-grade international was part of the group that toured in June but was not considered by O’Shea, having not played yet for Benetton Treviso this season due to injury.

FORWARDS
Pietro Ceccarelli (Zebre), Lorenzo Cittadini (Bayonne, FR), Simone Ferrari (Benetton Treviso), Andrea Lovotti (Zebre), Sami Panico (Calvisano), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Toulouse, FR), Ornel Gega (Benetton Treviso), George Biagi (Zebre), Joshua Furno (Zebre), Marco Fuser (Benetton Treviso), Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Simone Favaro (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Maxime Mbanda (Zebre), Francesco Minto (Benetton Treviso), Sergio Parisse (capt., Stade Français, FR), Dries van Schalkwyk (Zebre), Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Treviso)

BACKS
Giorgio Bronzini (Benetton Treviso), Edoardo Gori (Benetton Treviso), Marcello Violi (Zebre), Tommaso Allan (Benetton Treviso), Carlo Canna (Zebre), Tommaso Benvenuti (Benetton Treviso), Tommaso Boni (Zebre), Michele Campagnaro (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Andrea Buondonno (Benetton Treviso), Angelo Esposito (Benetton Treviso), Leonardo Sarto (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Luke McLean (Benetton Treviso), Edoardo Padovani (Zebre)

FIXTURES
Nov 12 – vs New Zealand – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Nov 19 – vs South Africa – Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
Nov 26 – vs Tonga – Stadio Euganeo, Padova