Italy makes 4 changes for Ireland 6 Nations match
Updated: February 22, 2012, 14:42
ROME (AP) Tobias Botes will make his first start at flyhalf in one of four changes made by Italy coach Jacques Brunel on Wednesday for the Six Nations match at Ireland.
Also, Alberto Sgarbi replaced Gonzalo Canale at No. 12, Michele Rizzo came in for Andrea Lo Cicero at loosehead prop and Lorenzo Cittadini took over from injured prop Martin Castrogiovanni for Saturday's match.
Castrogiovanni will miss the rest of the tournament after breaking a rib in Italy's 19-15 loss to England 10 days ago.
Italy also lost its opener, falling 30-12 to France.
Ireland will be playing only its second match, having been edged out 23-21 by Wales in its opener. The team's following game with France was then called off due to a frozen pitch.
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Italy: Andrea Masi, Giovanbattista Venditti, Tommaso Benvenuti, Alberto Sgarbi, Luke McLean, Tobias Botes, Edoardo Gori; Sergio Parisse (captain), Robert Barbieri, Alessandro Zanni, Marco Bortolami, Quintin Geldenhuys, Lorenzo Cittadini, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Michele Rizzo.
Reserves: Tommaso D'Apice, Fabio Staibano, Antonio Pavanello, Simone Favaro, Fabio Semenzato, Kristopher Burton, Gonzalo Canale.
Updated February 22, 2012
