Frenchman Berbizier will add four more names to the party after the French championship semi-finals on June 3, where the Bergamasco brothers (Mauro and Mirco) and Sergio Parisse will play for Stade Francais and Ramiro Pez will run out for Perpignan.

Salvatore Perugini, Alessandro Zanni, Cristian Stoica, Maurizio Zaffiri, Gonzalo Canale and Kaine Robertson all miss the tour through injury, and Dondi therefore believes Berbizier named the best players available.

Berbizier is conducting some experiments before the important competitions next year, like the RBS 6 Nations and the World Cup in France, Dondi said.

I am satisfied with his work and Berbizier is someone who always wants the best from his men.

I do believe this is a good selection of players and, apart the unavailable players, we are going into the summer tour with a great squad.

I am secure in the knowledge we will develop all the players to the right level for the tour in Japan.

The Azzurri face Japan on June 11 and Fiji six days later.