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Sergio Parisse will lead a 34-man roster for the Six Nations. The Italian captain will add to his 129 test caps to continue to be the highest capped player of all time to come from the Americas.
Parisse has played all of his international career for Italy. This came after he moved to the country aged 17 from his native Argentina. The extent of his loss is such that he is deemed to be the biggest loss ever to Argentine rugby. The PladAR system was set-up, in part, to prevent the loss of others who qualify for Italy and other countries.
Parisse is to be joined by the 99-time capped Alessandro Zanni. He makes the return after having been uncapped for the past 18 months. Also named in the back-row is Englishman Jake Pollerdi who is uncapped.
Pollerdi played for Italy at under 20 level but has been a surprising admission under the Eddie Jones regime. He is now a strong candidate to play against England. The 22 year old from Bristol qualifies for England via a Grandparent.
Not considered for the campaign due to injury are Michele Campagnaro, Angelo Esposito, Ornel Gega and Federico Zani.
ITALY
Forwards: Simone Ferrari, Andrea Lovotti, Tiziano Pasquali, Nicola Quaglio, Luca Bigi, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Oliviero Fabiani, George Biagi, Dean Budd, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, Alessandro Zanni, Renato Giammarioli, Giovanni Licata, Maxime Mata Mbanda’, Sebastian Negri Da Oleggio, Sergio Parisse, Jake Polledri, Abraham Steyn
Backs: Edoardo Gori, Tito Tebaldi, Marcello Violi, Tommaso Allan, Carlo Canna, Ian McKinley, Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Benvenuti, Giulio Bisegni, Tommaso Boni, Tommaso Castello, Jayden Hayward, Matteo Minozzi, Edoardo Padovani, Leonardo Sarto
