Italy snub for Scanavacca

Fly-half Andrea Scanavacca was the most notable absentee from a 40-man squad named by Italy coach Pierre Berbizier today for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

Scanavacca found it hard to win a place in the team under Berbizier's two predecessors, Brad Johnstone and John Kirwan, but looked to have won the confidence of the Frenchman during the last RBS 6 Nations tournament, Italy's most successful ever.