The Benetton Treviso hooker, who has scored three tries in 25 appearances for his country, is excited at the prospect of leading the team out against the Americans in Biella.

I'm delighted to be appointed captain for the game against USA, he said.

To be honest I don't know much about the USA team, I will have to wait and see the video of this Saturdays game against Ireland.

Ongaro, 27, is aiming for a much improved performance after last weekends 59-10 defeat to New Zealand in Rome.

After the numerous mistakes committed against the All Blacks, I hope we can produce a display like we did against the Canadians (51-6 win on November 6), he said.

The match against the USA at Biella is the last one before the RBS 6 Nations, and we have to give our best to impress our coach and especially our fans.

Locks Marco Bortolami and Santiago Dellape and flankers Mauro Bergamasco and Aaron Persico have not been called up due to commitments with their French first division clubs.

The Azzurri will also be without winger Gonzalo Canale, who is unavailable after picking up an injury before last weekends game against the All Blacks.

Italy squad: Valerio Bernabo (Ghial Calvisano), Cristian Bezzi (Arix Viadana), Salvatore Costanzo (Benetton Treviso), David Dal Maso (Benetton Treviso), Paul Griffen (Ghial Calvisano), Giorgio Intoppa (Ghial Calvisano), Andrea Lo Cicero (Conad L'Aquila), Roberto Mandelli (Ghial Calvisano), Antonio Mannato (SKG Gran Rugby), Andrea Masi (Arix Viadana), Ludovico Nitogila (Ghial Calvisano), Fabio Ongaro (Benetton Treviso), Silvio Orlando (Benetton Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Carrera Petrarca Padova), Antonio Pavanello (Rugby Rovigo), Enrico Pavanello (Benetton Treviso), Salvatore Pergini (Ghial Calvisano), Walter Pozzebon (Benetton Treviso), Matteo Pratichetti (Ghial Calvisano), Kaine Robertson (Arix Viadana), Andrea Scanavva (Rugby Rovigo), Cristian Stoica (Montpellier), Pietro Travagli (Arix Viadana).