Pratichetti blow for Italy

Italy will be without wing Matteo Pratichetti for their RBS Six Nations opener against Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday.

Pratichetti, 22, has suffered a shoulder injury and has returned to club side Calvisano, the Italian Rugby Federation confirmed today.

The news is a further blow to Italy coach Nick Mallett, who was already without Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami, who will miss both the Ireland match and the game with England on February 10 with an eye injury.

Pratichetti has scored four tries in eight appearances for his country and was named in Italy’s squad for the 2007 Six Nations and the World Cup in France.

Mallett will name his team for Saturday’s encounter in Dublin tomorrow.