Italy hit by another injury blow

Italy have suffered another injury blow ahead of tomorrow's RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff.

Centre Andrea Masi has been ruled out this morning after suffering soreness in his lower back, and will be replaced by Clermont Auvergne's Gonzalo Canale.

Canale moves up off the replacements' bench, with Matteo Pratichetti now joining the substitutes.

Masi's withdrawal follows a double setback last night when Azzurri coach Nick Mallett lost the services of lock Carlo Del Fava and flanker Paul Derbyshire.

Gloucester forward Marco Bortolami will start instead of Del Fava, with Josh Sole packing down in the back-row after Derbyshire was sidelined.

Italy will finish with the wooden spoon if they lose to Wales and Scotland avoid defeat against Triple Crown-chasing Ireland in Dublin.