Italy call up Bisegni for injured Campagnaro

Italy, who have yet to win in the competition this year, are set to end their campaign away to Wales in Cardiff this weekend.

But the Italian rugby federation said Campagnaro will need around “10 to 15 days to recover” from the injury and Bisegni has been drafted in as a replacement, according to team manager Luigi Troiani.

“The recovery time is around 10 to 15 days, not enough time for Campagnaro to return in time,” said Troiani.

Meanwhile, Marco Fuser, who was forced off injured against Ireland, has recovered and will rejoin the squad on Tuesday, although Gonzalo Garcia and Luca Morisi are “set for further tests over the next 48 hours” as they continue to nurse knee and thigh injuries respectively.

Defeat to Ireland was one of the worst suffered by Italy under the helm of coach Jacques Brunel, who will take charge of the team for the last time at the Principality Stadium before taking over as forwards’ coach at Top 14 club Bordeaux.

Troiani, meanwhile, called on the wounded Azzurri to give the Frenchman a positive send-off.

“We have to and want to make amends. We’ve been working in the gym and on the pitch since this morning and we’re already looking ahead to Wales,” added Troiani.

“We want to prepare for this game the best way possible and we’re sure we can finish the tournament leaving a good impression of ourselves.”

Italy squad for Six Nations game v Wales on March 19:

Forwards: Martin Castrogiovanni (Racing 92/FRA), Dario Chistolini (Zebre), Pietro Ceccarelli (Zebre), Andrea Lovotti (Zebre), Matteo Zanusso (Treviso), Oliviero Fabiani (Zebre), Davide Giazzon (Treviso), Valerio Bernabo (Zebre), Marco Fuser (Treviso), Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/FRA), Jacopo Sarto (Zebre), Abraham Steyn (Treviso), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso)

Backs: Alberto Lucchese (Treviso), Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre), Tommaso Allan (Perpignan/FRA), Kelly Haimona (Zebre), Mattia Bellini (Petrarca Padova), Giulio Bisegni (Zebre), Tommaso Castello (Calvisano), Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre), Luke McLean (Treviso), Luca Morisi (Treviso), David Odiete (Marchiol Mogliano), Andrea Pratichetti (Treviso), Leonardo Sarto (Zebre)
Source: AFP