The 33-year-old, who earned the last of his 85 caps in March 2005, is back in the international fold after showing good form for club side Clermont-Auvergne, and the veteran has impressed Berbizier.

I believe that Alessandro still has the desire to give something to the senior national team, said Berbizier.

He is a great representative and an Italian athlete with unbelievable experience and will be able to help us in the RBS 6 Nations tournament.

After making his debut against Spain in 1994, Troncon has gone on to become the most capped Italian player in history.

And the coach is hoping he can blend the number nines experience with the youth as they prepare to kick-off a tough year in which Berbizier has already cast one eye on Septembers World Cup.

Our main target for this RBS 6 Nations is to call the best experienced players and introducing few good youngsters from the Under 21, with the World Cup in France in sight, he added.