Lo Cicero had impressed in the autumn Tests while Toulouse star Perugini served a five-week ban for a headbutting incident in a European Cup game against Ulster last October.

But Berbizier has preferred the experience of the 28-year-old who shone in the pack for the Azzurri in last year’s Six Nations campaign.

Berbizier has also named Ramiro Pez as a replacement, and opted to pair 33-year-old Andrea Scanavacca at half-back with Paul Griffen.

Former captain Alessandro Troncon had a surprise recall to the party after two years not playing for the national team. He has been named as a replacement.