Campagnaro set to face France

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs newcomer Michele Campagnaro has been named in Italy’s starting XV for heir World Cup opener against France at Twickenham.

The summer signing from Treviso will line-up at outside centre for the Azzurri, who will be missing key talisman Sergio Parisse.

Italy will be without Parisse on Saturday because of a leg injury, so experienced hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini taking over the captain's role as expected.

Coach Jacques Brunel has picked an experienced line-up, with Samuela Vunisa taking Parisse's spot at number eight, alongside Francesco Minto and Alessandro Zanni.

Martin Castrogiovanni starts at tighthead prop, with Matias Aguero on the other side of Ghiraldini, while in the backs, Andrea Masi will start at inside centre.

The half-back pairing of Edoardo Gori and Tommaso Allan get the start as expected, while Leonardo Sarto and Giovanbattista will pose a threat on the wings.

There is no place in the matchday squad for veteran backrower Mauro Bergamasco.

Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Francesco Minto, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (c), 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Valerio Bernabò, 20 Simone Favaro, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Enrico Bacchin