Ireland to face experienced Italy team at Croke Park

Italy coach Nick Mallett has put his faith in experience for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations opener with Ireland at Croke Park.

Mallett has named most of the team that played in September’s World Cup defeat to Scotland that sealed Italy’s elimination from the tournament at the pool stage.

The England-born coach named his first Azzurri XV on Wednesday, unveiling a trusted back three of David Bortolussi, Gonzalo Canale and Mirco Bergamasco to support wingers Kaine Robertson and Pablo Canavosio.

Flankers Mauro Bergamasco and Josh Sole also pair up again but there is a surprise at half-back, where Mallett has selected the untried partnership of Pietro Travagli and Andrea Masi, who gets his first Test start at number 10.

Travagli gets the nod from the start for the first time in three years ahead of Treviso’s Simon Picone, while Biarritz centre Masi starts after fly-half Ramiro Pez failed to receive a call-up to the squad.

Martin Castrogiovanni leads Italy’s formidable forward pack once again.

The Leicester prop is set to win his 50th cap but still has a some way to go before he reaches the tally of fellow frontman Andrea Lo Cicero, who will make his 72nd appearance this weekend.

By contrast, Calvisano captain Leonardo Ghiraldini will make his Six Nations debut on Saturday having only made one previous start for Italy – against Portugal in September.

Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Sergio Parisse to see how he handles his first game as captain, with an expectant Italian public hoping that the Azzurri can build on their best ever Six Nations showing in 2007.

Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship match against Ireland at Croke Park:

D Bortolussi (Montpellier); K Robertson (Viadana), G Canale (Clermont-Auvergne), M Bergamasco (Stade Francais), P Canavosio (Castres); A Masi (Biarritz), P Travagli (Overmach Parma); A Lo Cicero (Racing-Metro), L Ghiraldini (Calvisano), M Castrogiovanni (Leicester), S Dellape (Biarritz), CA Del Fava (Ulster), J Sole (Viadana), M Bergamasco (Stade Francais), S Parisse (Stade Francais, capt).

Replacements: C Festuccia (Racing-Metro), S Perugini (Stade Toulousain), C Nieto (Gloucester), T Reato (Rovigo), A Zanni (Calvisano), A Marcato (Treviso), E Galon (Overmach Parma).