Calvisano scrum-half Paul Griffen will make his Test debut for Italy in their opening Six Nations match against world champions England in Rome on Sunday.
New Zealand-born Griffen, 28, replaces injured captain Alessandro Troncon, who is ruled out with a knee injury.
Treviso pair Santiago Dellape and Denis Dallan passed late fitness tests and are included in the starting XV, while Calvisano's Nicola Mazzucato is preferred to Stade Francais' Mirco Bergamasco at full-back.
Bergamasco's younger brother Mauro, who is a flanker but played on the wing last year, has been ruled out of the whole tournament with a thigh injury.
Coach John Kirwan said he hoped Troncon would be fit for Italy's second match away to France next week.
Team: Andrea Masi; Nicola Mazzucato, Christian Stoica, Manuel Dallan, Denis Dallan; Rima Wakarua, Paul Griffen; Sergio Parisse, Aaron Persico, Andrea De Rossi (captain); Marco Bortolami, Santiago Dellape; Martin Castrogiovanni, Fabio Ongaro, Andrea Lo Cicero. Replacements: Salvatore Perugini, Carlo Festuccia, Carlo Checchinato, Silvio Orlando, Simon Picone, Roland De Marigny, Mirko Bergamasco.
Filed by James Boylan
