Uncapped Benetton hooker Engjel Makelara has been called up to Italy’s squad ahead of their second Guinness Six Nations clash against Wales on Saturday.
Makelara, 22, was a regular throughout the Azzurri’s youth teams and featured for Emerging Italy at the 2017 World Rugby Nations Cup.
The Macedonian-born forward replaces Oliviero Fabiani, who was released following checks from Italy’s medical staff after initially being called up yesterday.
Makelara’s Benetton teammate Tito Tebaldi also left the squad today after pulling up in the warm-up before Italy’s 33-20 loss to Scotland with a back problem.
The scrum-half’s condition will be monitored on a daily basis with a view to recovering the 31 year-old for the match at home to Ireland on 24 February.
He has been replaced in the squad by the experienced Edoardo Gori, who could come straight into the matchday 23 for the clash with Wales.
Italy held their first training session this morning after returning from last weekend’s trip to Bt Murrayfield.
Conor O’Shea’s men will be looking to kickstart their 2019 campaign on Saturday when they take on Wales at the Stadio Olimpico.
“We were put under pressure for long periods during the game against Scotland,” forwards coach Giampiero De Carli said.
“It’s clear there are certain things we must improve starting from the match against Wales.
“The reaction at the end was good, but the aim is to play like that in other parts of the game so we can change the course of the match.
“The only way we can obtain these kinds of results is through hard work.”
