KEY POINTS:
MILAN - Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has made seven changes to his team for their final World Cup warm-up match against Ireland in Belfast on Saturday (NZ time).
Italy beat Japan 36-12 in a friendly on Sunday but lost first five-eighths Ramiro Pez to a shoulder injury in the first half and he has failed to recover for the Ireland game.
His place will be taken by Roland De Marigny while flanker Alessandro Zanni returns after injuring his left thigh. The other changes are tactical.
Italy, who start their World Cup Pool C campaign against New Zealand in Marseille on September 8, have yet to name a replacement for unfit Fabio Staibano in their 30-man squad.
Italy
15-David Bortolussi; 14-Kaine Robertson, 13-Gonzalo Canale, 12-Mirco Bergamasco, 11-Matteo Pratichetti; 10-Roland De Marigny, 9-Alessandro Troncon; 8-Sergio Parisse, 7-Robert Barbieri, 6-Alessandro Zanni, 5-Marco Bortolami (captain), 4-Valerio Bernabo, 3-Martin Castrogiovanni, 2-Fabio Ongaro, 1-Salvatore Perugini
- REUTERS
