The 25-year-old sustained the injury during the 38-8 defeat to Wales at the Stadio Flaminio last weekend and will face a number of months on the sidelines, a huge blow for Italy's Six Nations hopes.

Bergamasco told www.federugby.it: ''The operation has been a success even if I still have a bit of pain in my face.

''The morale is still high in a sport where an injury like mine can happen every day and it's a good job the operation has gone well.

''I spoke to the doctor who conducted the operation and he said we have to see how it responds week by week and I hope to be ready in a few months, but on March 19 (the visit of France) I will be in the Flaminio stand to support all my team-mates.''

The Azzurri have returned to training ahead of the trip to Murrayfield on Saturday with a couple of new faces in the 25-man squad.

Coach John Kirwan has called up flanker Silvio Orlando and centre Cristian Stoica for the clash between two teams that have not yet registered points in the tournament.