Mallett names his training 30

[Bullitt]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,1...5840603,00.html

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named his 30-man training squad ahead of their Six Nations opener away to Ireland.

The Azzurri have opted for a 16 to 14 split but their selection is lessened by the absence of injured captain and number eight Sergio Parisse.

Two uncapped players make the squad, with Rovigo fly-half Riccardo Bocchino and Parma flank Francesco Minto given a chance to shine.

Following the trip to Croke Park on February 6, Mallett's underdog outfit will then host England and Scotland before travelling to France and finally Wales to conclude their tournament.

Italy training squad for Six Nations 2010

Forwards (16): Matias Aguero (Saracens/ENG), Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Français/FRA), Marco Bortolami (Gloucester/ENG), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester/ENG), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Viadana), Simone Favaro (Parma), Quintin Geldenhuys (Viadana), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Francesco Minto (Parma), Fabio Ongaro (Saracens/ENG), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso), Salvatore Perugini (Bayonne/FRA), Josh Sole (Viadana), Manoa Vosawai (Parma), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso).

Backs (14): Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Français/FRA), Riccardo Bocchino (Rovigo), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont/FRA), Gonzalo Garcia (Treviso), Craig Gower (Bayonne/FRA), Andrea Marcato (Treviso), Andrea Masi (Racing Metro/FRA), Luke McLean (Treviso), Simon Picone (Treviso), Matteo Pratichetti (Viadana), Kaine Robertson (Viadana), Michele Sepe (Viadana), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso), ***o Tebaldi (Gran Parma).

 

[Gavin]

Wouldn't mind seeing Martin Castrogiovanni being appointed as Captain for the Six Nations, he is one of the best props in the game and seems to always perform.

 

[munross]

Updated squad

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Italy's South African coach Nick Mallett on Sunday named a 30-man pre-tournament squad to prepare for the Six Nations tournament:

Forwards (16):

Matias Aguero (Saracens/ENG), Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Français/FRA), Marco Bortolami (Gloucester/ENG), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester/ENG), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Paul Derbyshire (Padova), Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Viadana), Simone Favaro (Parma), Quintin Geldenhuys (Viadana), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Fabio Ongaro (Saracens/ENG), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso), Salvatore Perugini (Bayonne/FRA), Josh Sole (Viadana), Manoa Vosawai (Parma), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso).

Backs (14):
Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Français/FRA), Riccardo Bocchino (Rovigo), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont/FRA), Gonzalo Garcia (Treviso), Craig Gower (Bayonne/FRA), Andrea Marcato (Treviso), Andrea Masi (Racing Metro/FRA), Luke McLean (Treviso), Simon Picone (Treviso), Matteo Pratichetti (Viadana), Kaine Robertson (Viadana), Michele Sepe (Viadana), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso), ***o Tebaldi (Gran Parma).[/b]

Source

Only change is Paul Derbyshire in for Francesco Minto