Gloucester flanker Jake Polledri has been included in Conor O’Shea’s 34-man Italy squad named in preparation for the Six Nations.
The 22-year-old is the only uncapped player named in the 34 while Alessandro Zanni is recalled after a year in the international wilderness.
Sergio Parisse continues as captain as the Azzurri look to improve on last year’s hugely disappointing winless Six Nations that saw them leak over 200 points (26 tries) in their five Championship games, scoring just 50 points (six tries).
Italy squad for Six Nations
Forwards: Simone Ferrari, Andrea Lovotti, Tiziano Pasquali, Nicola Quaglio, Luca Bigi, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Oliviero Fabiani, George Biagi, Dean Budd, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, Alessandro Zanni, Renato Giammarioli, Giovanni Licata, Maxime Mata Mbanda’, Sebastian Negri Da Oleggio, Sergio Parisse, Jake Polledri, Abraham Steyn
Backs: Edoardo Gori, Tito Tebaldi, Marcello Violi, Tommaso Allan, Carlo Canna, Ian McKinley, Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Benvenuti, Giulio Bisegni, Tommaso Boni, Tommaso Castello, Jayden Hayward, Matteo Minozzi, Edoardo Padovani, Leonardo Sarto
Invited players: Marco Riccioni, Cherif Traore
Not considered due to injury: Michele Campagnaro, Angelo Esposito, Ornel Gega, Federico Zani
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