Scrum-half Callum Braley has earned a maiden international call-up to be part of Italy’s 33-man training squad ahead of their Guinness Six Nations match against Ireland.
Braley, who plays his club rugby for Gloucester, represented England at Under-20 level but qualifies for Italy through his grandfather.
The 24-year-old has been an ever-present in the Premiership for the Cherry & Whites this term and will join up with the Azzurri in Rome on Sunday.
Another addition to the squad is Zebre centre Giulio Bisegni, who started against Ireland in the Autumn Internationals but has missed the first two matches of this year’s Guinness Six Nations with a calf injury.
Scrum-half Tito Tebaldi – still battling an injury he picked up during the warm-up before Italy’s Round One loss to Scotland – remains with the group, meaning there will be four No.9s for Conor O’Shea to work with in Rome.
Braley’s Gloucester team-mate Jake Polledri has been a regular fixture in the Italian set-up over the past 12 months, but the Ireland clash will come too soon for him as he battles an ankle issue.
And the Azzurri’s newest call-up is excited to join O’Shea’s men – even if he doesn’t expect to be included come matchday.
“I’ve been having a few conversations over the last couple of days and it’s a huge opportunity for me to improve and get some valuable experiences,” Braley told Gloucester Rugby TV.
“It’s a massive thrill to get that phone call and get that opportunity he [O’Shea] has given me.
“One of the things Conor made clear when we first spoke is it’s not a decision to necessarily go and play right at this moment but more an opportunity to go over there and train and see what the set-up’s all about.
“He made it clear to have a conversation with Jake and make sure it’s something I’m actually interested in doing.
“Italy have shown some real promise, I think they did some really good things against Wales [a 26-15 defeat over the weekend], so it’s just a good opportunity to get over there, get amongst international rugby and just train in that environment.”
Italy’s 33-man training squad that will meet in Rome
Forwards: Simone FerrarI (Benetton Rugby), Andrea Lovotti (Zebre Rugby Club), Tiziano Pasquali (Benetton Rugby), Nicola Quaglio (Benetton Rugby), Cherif Traore (Benetton Rugby); Luca Bigi (Benetton Rugby), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Stade Toulousian); Dean Budd (Benetton Rugby), Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby), David Sisi (Zebre Rugby Club), Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Rugby); Marco Barbini (Benetton Rugby), Maxime Mbanda (Zebre Rugby Club), Sebastian Nefri (Benetton Rugby), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais – captain), Braam Steyn (Benetton Rugby), Jimmy Tuivaiti (Zebre Rugby Club)
Backs: Callum Braley (Gloucester Rugby), Edoardo Gori (Benetton Rugby), Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre Rugby Club), Tito Tebaldi (Benetton Rugby); Tommaso Allan (Benetton Rugby), Carlo Canna (Zebre Rugby Club), Ian McKinley (Benetton Rugby); Michele Campagnaro (Wasps), Tommaso Castello (Zebre Rugby Club), Luca Morisi (Benetton Rugby), Marco Zanon (Benetton Rugby); Giulio Bisegni (Zebre Rugby Club), Angelo Esposito (Benetton Rugby), Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby), Edoardo Padovani (Zebre Rugby Club), Luca Sperandio (Benetton Rugby)
