Italy name team to face France
Friday, 12 March 2010 11:57
Italy coach Nick Mallett has kept faith with the players who notched a rare Six Nations win last month for Sunday's match against France in Paris.
Prop Martin Castrogiovanni has shaken off a muscle strain and winger Andrea Masi also kept his place in the side named on Friday despite suffering from a stiff neck.
Scrumhalf Pablo Canavosio was named on the bench again despite scoring the match-winning try in the 16-12 win over Scotland.
The Azzurri also had the same starting lineup when they pushed England hard in a 17-12 defeat after losing their opener 29-11 in Ireland.
Mallett's men are seeking their first win over France in the competition to scupper their unbeaten opponents' bid to win the grand slam.
Italy XV v France in the RBS 6 Nations in Paris on Sunday, 2.30pm:
15 Luke McLean, 14 Andrea Masi, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Alessandro Zanni, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (captain) 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 19 Paul Derbyshire, 20 Pablo.
