Kirwan and 29 of his 30-strong squad were due to meet at Viadana with the only absentee being Mauro Bergamasco, who is on club duty.

The three-day training camp will give Kirwan the first chance to put his players through their paces since the November Test matches.

On January 23 the players will then gather once more to prepare for the traditional All-Star game on January 29 which serves as a trial match.

This year the All-Star game will take place in Catania in Sicily.

Forwards
Cristian Bezzi (Viadana), Marco Bortolami (Narbonne), Martin Castrogiovanni (Calvisano), Santiago Dellape (Agen), Andrea Lo Cicero (LAquila), Fabio Ongaro (Teviso), Sergio Parisse (Treviso), Aaron Persico (Agen), Salvatore Costanzo (Treviso), David Dal Maso (Treviso), Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Overmach Parma), Enrico Pavanello (Treviso), Giorgio Intoppa (Calvisano), Silvio Orlando (Treviso), Mario Savi (Viadana)

Backs
Matteo Barbini (Padova), Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), Roland De Marigny (Overmacn Parma), Paul Griffen (Calvisano), Andrea Masi (Viadana), Ludovico Nitoglia (Calvisano), Gert Peens (LAquila), Walter Pozzebon (Treviso), Kaine Robertson (Viadana), Andrea Scanavacca (Rovigo), Cristian Stoica (Montpellier), Alessandro Troncon (Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Padova), Pietro Travagli (Viadana)

Absent
Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Francais)