There is also a change in the back row where Simone Favaro comes in for Robert Barbieri, who is out with a hip injury.

Jacques Brunel’s side are seeking a first-ever victory over Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations and Favaro is determined to end the championship on a positive note.

“Against England we gained in confidence, we were able to put something in place,” he said.

“But we must not forget we lost, even if the performance was satisfactory. Now we have a new battle, and new challenge, that we want to win, as we want to win every time we go onto the pitch.

“That is our spirit. Winning on Saturday is fundamental, we can't judge our tournament before the Ireland game. We can talk of the assessment of the tournament on Sunday.”

ITALY

15 Andrea Masi (London Wasps)
14 Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre Rugby)
13 Gonzalo Canale (Stade Rochelais)
12 Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre Rugby)
11 Luke McLean (Benetton Treviso)
10 Luciano Orquera (Zebre Rugby)
9 Edoardo Gori (Benetton Treviso)

1 Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing-Metro Paris)
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (Benetton Treviso)
3 Lorenzo Cittadini (Benetton Treviso)
4 Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre Rugby)
5 Joshua Furno (Narbonne)
6 Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Treviso)
7 Simone Favaro (Benetton Treviso)
8 Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais) captain

Replacements:
16 Davide Giazzon (Zebre Rugby)
17 Michele Rizzo (Benetton Treviso)
18 Alberto De Marchi (Benetton Treviso)
19 Antonio Pavanello (Benetton Treviso)
20 Francesco Minto (Benetton Treviso)
21 Paul Derbyshire (Benetton Treviso)
22 Tobias Botes (Benetton Treviso)
23 Tommaso Benvenuti (Benetton Treviso)