Ongaro receives the honour in his 26th appearance for the Azzurri, who are again struggling with injuries ahead of the game at the Lamarmora Stadium.

Centre pairing Andrea Masi and Gonzalo Canale are ruled out, while four other key players - flankers Mauro Bergamasco and Aaron Persico and locks Mauro Bortolami and Santiago Dellape - are also unavailable.

Azzurri team manager Marco Bollesan admits the Italian side is very young but is confident ahead of the game against the Americans.

He said: The Italian team who will challenge USA this Saturday is very young, to be honest the youngest ever, but it was necessary to rejuvenate the squad before big tournaments like the RBS 6 Nations and the World Cup in France.

We are going to be favourites against the American Eagles, like we were against Canada, and I don't like to think about a home defeat in any way.

We are favourites to win, but we want to win well and play well throughout the 80 minutes."

USA head coach Tom Billups has just made just one change after their 55-6 defeat to Ireland in last Saturdays match at Lansdowne Road.

Third-row Jurie Gouws has been called in to replace Californian flanker Tony Petruzzella, who has a back injury.

Billups said: After the heavy defeat in Dublin against the Irish last Saturday, which came especially in the second half, our main target from now is to grow in each game and try to make the least number of mistakes possible as a team."

Italy: Roland De Marigny; Kaine Robertson, Walter Pozzebon, Cristian Stoica, Ludovico Nitoglia; Luciano Orquera, Paul Griffen; Andrea Lo Cicero, Fabio Ongaro, Salvatore Perugini, Cristian Bezzi, Valerio Bernabo, Enrico Ravanello, Silvio Orlando, David Dal Maso.

Replacements: Giorgio Intoppa, Salvatore Costanzo, Roberto Mandelli, Antonio Mannato, Pietro Travagli, Andrea Scannavacca, Matteo Barbini.

USA: Francois Viljoen; Al Lakomskis, Paul Emerik, Salesi Sika, David Fee; Mike Herchus, Mose Timoteo; Mike Macdonald, Matt Wyatt, Jacob Waasardop, Alec Parker, Gerhard Klerck, Jurie Gouws, Brian Surgener, Kort Schubert.

Replacements: Mike Hobson, Chris Osentowsky, Matt Kane, Fifita Mo'unga, David Williams, Matt Sherman.