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Mallett hands Travagli a start

Thursday 20th November 2008

Changes: Mallett had no choice but to pick a new scrum-half

Pietro Travagli has returned at scrum-half, and Mirco Bergamasco has switched back to the centre, for Italy's final November test against the Pacific Islands on Saturday.

Mallett had delayed naming his side until Thursday due to several ongoing injury concerns in his squad, most picked up in the 22-14 defeat against Argentina last weekend.

With Pablo Canavosio still not 100 per cent fit Mallett opted to go with Pietro Travagli at scrum-half, but has held a place open on the bench for Canavosio to try and prove his fitness.

Elsewhere Mirco Bergamasco and Matteo Pratichetti have swapped positions, meaning the younger of the Bergamasco brothers takes his usual place in the centre, with Pratichetti on the wing.

Leonardo Ghiraldini, who started the battling 30-20 defeat by Australia two weekends ago, replaces Fabio Ongaro at hooker.

Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Mirco Bergamasco, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Matteo Pratichetti, 10 Andrea Marcato, 9 Pietro Travagli, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Tommaso Reato, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18 Salvatore Perugini, 19 Alessandro Zanni, 20 Pablo Canavosio/Giulio Toniolatti, 21 Luke McLean, 22 Riccardo Pavan

Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Stadio Giglio, Reggio Emilio
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: Christophe Berdos, Hugh Watkins (Wales)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)