Coach John Kirwan summoned Barbieri along with Calvisanos 19-year-old Matteo Pratichetti after a lengthy list of absentees formed at the camp in Viadana.

John Kirwan called me last night and this morning I started training with the Italian senior rugby team, Barbieri told www.federugby.it on Monday.

I'm without words to be honest, but very happy to be here. I can't wait to start this adventure and I hope to give a good impression.

The first training day saw four players missing with Mauro Bergamasco (club duty), centre Cristian Stojca (knee), prop Salvatore Costanzo (lack of fitness) and Enrico Pavanello (fractured cheek-bone) all absent.

Pavanello, who sustained his injury against Leinster in the European Cup clash on Saturday, has undergone an operation.

Meanwhile, Treviso players Sergio Parisse, Silvio Orlando and Alessandro Troncon have also been suffering from various ailments.

Italy begin their RBS 6 Nations campaign against Ireland at Romas Flaminio Stadium on February 6.