It will be the 33rd match between the two teams, the last of which in Cardiff saw the Azzurri claim a famous victory.
Fullback Lorenzo Pani returns to the starting XV after missing the last two rounds of action, featuring in a back three with Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane. Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello continue their potent midfield partnership, while Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney will look to control things in the half-backs.
Lorenzo Cannone returns to wear the number eight jersey, with captain Michael Lamaro and Sebastian Negri completing the back row. In the second row are Niccolò Cannone and Federico Ruzza, with Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera and Simon Ferrari in the front row.
Italy XV
15 Lorenzo PANI (Zebre Parma, 7 caps)
14 Louis LYNAGH (Harlequins, 1 cap)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 34 caps)
12 Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
11 Monty IOANE (Lione 29 caps)
10 Paolo GARBISI (Tolone, 35 caps)
9 Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester, 28 caps)
8 Lorenzo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps)
7 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 37 caps) – cap
6 Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 54 caps)
5 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 53 caps)
4 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 40 caps)
3 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 52 caps)
2 Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 22 caps)
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 40 caps)
Replacements
16 Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Benetton Rugby, 21 caps)
17 Mirco SPAGNOLO (Benetton Rugby, 4 caps)
18 Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Benetton Rugby, 20 caps)
19 Andrea ZAMBONIN (Zebre Parma, 7 caps)
20 Ross VINTCENT (Exeter, 3 caps)
21 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 20 caps)
22 Martin PAGE-RELO (Lione, 7 caps)
23 Leonardo MARIN (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)
