Parisse Returns to Lead Italy

Sergio Parisse returns to lead Italy, it has been confirmed. The 34-year-old from Argentina is back as captain as part of a 34-man roster that will face Fiji, Argentina and South Africa next month.

Head Coach Conor O’Shea welcomes back Parisse after the La Plata native was rested for the June Internationals tour. He brings back with him 126 caps for his parents’ country.

In addition to Parisse, O’Shea also welcomes the return of Leonardo Ghiraldini. The Toulouse hooker has been in fine form this season in France. The pair are two of just four squad members who do not play their rugby in Italy.

Also in the mix are uncapped players. Included are five players with no prior international experience. They are Irish import Ian McKinley, New Zealand import Jayden Hayward and the Italian trio of fullback Matteo Minozzi and flankers Renato Giammarioli and Giovanni Licata.

ITALY
Forwards: Dario Chistolini (Zebre), Simone Ferrari (Treviso), Andrea Lovotti (Zebre), Tiziano Pasquali (Treviso), Federico Zani (Treviso), Luca Bigi (Treviso), Oliviero Fabiani (Zebre), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Toulouse, France), George Fabio Biagi (Zebre), Dean Budd (Treviso), Marco Fuser (Treviso), Marco Lazzaroni (Treviso), Federico Ruzza (Treviso), Renato Giammarioli (Zebre), Giovanni Licata (Fiamme Oro), Maxime Mata Mbanda (Zebre), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Sergio Parisse (Stade Français, France), Abraham Steyn (Treviso)

Backs: Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Tito Tebaldi (Treviso), Marcello Violi (Zebre), Carlo Canna (Zebre), Ian McKinley (Treviso), Tommmaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Tommaso Castello (Zebre), Jayden Hayward (Treviso), Mattia Bellini (Zebre), Angelo Esposito (Treviso), Leonardo Sarto (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre), Matteo Minozzi (Zebre), Edoardo Padovani (Toulon, France)

ITALY NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS
Saturday November 11 Italy vs Fiji, Catania
Saturday November 18 Italy vs Argentina, Florence
Saturday November 25 Italy vs South Africa, Padova

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