KEY POINTS:
ROME - Italy halfback Alessandro Troncon will take part in his fourth World Cup after coach Pierre Berbizier included him in the Azzurri's 30-man squad for the tournament starting next month in France.
The 33-year-old, who is Italy's most capped player with 95 international appearances, has said he may quit the game after the competition.
Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami, who is taking part in his second World Cup, will lead the Azzurri as they attempt to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Other leading members of the squad include Stade Francais flanker Mauro Bergamasco, who played in the 1999 and 2003 tournaments, Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni and Saracens hooker Fabio Ongaro.
Gloucester prop Carlos Nieto and Brive first five-eighths Luciano Orquera were among those dropped from the preliminary squad.
This means Roland de Marigny, who usually plays fullback, is set to be Ramiro Pez's back-up as playmaker.
The squad includes Fijian-born back row Manoa Vosawai, a naturalised Italian who will become eligible to appear for the Azzurri five days before the tournament kicks off on September 7.
Italy are in Pool C with New Zealand, Scotland, Romania and Portugal. They start their World Cup campaign on September 8 against the All Blacks.
Italy's last pool game is the potentially-decisive showdown with the Scots on September 29.
Squad:
Backs: Mirco Bergamasco, David Bortolussi, Gonzalo Canale, Pablo Canavosio, Roland De Marigny, Ezio Galon, Paul Griffen, Andrea Masi, Ramiro Pez, Matteo Pratichetti, Kaine Robertson, Marko Stanojevic, Alessandro Troncon.
Forwards: Matias Aguero, Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Valerio Bernabo, Marco Bortolami (captain), Martin Castrogiovanni, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Santiago Dellape, Carlo Festuccia, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero, Fabio Ongaro, Sergio Parisse, Salvatore Perugini, Josh Sole, Manoa Vosawai, Alessandro Zanni.
- Reuters
