Italian call-up for Campagnaro

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs star Michele Campagnaro has been included in the Italian squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

Signed in the summer by head coach Rob Baxter from Benetton Treviso, the 22-year-old back has settled well to life in England, featuring for the Chiefs both in the Aviva Premiership and European Champions Cup.

He has been named in Jacques Brunel’s 30-man squad, which includes ten uncapped players.

Hooker Ornel Gega, second-rows Andrea Lovotti and Matthew Zanusso and back row trio Jacopo Sarto, Andries van Schalkwyk and Abraham Steyn are among the new faces up front as the Azzurri bring in new blood for 2016's tournament.

In the backline, fly-half Edoardo Padovani, centres Mattia Bellini and Tommaso Castello and wing David Odiete are the other uncapped players.

Led by captain and number eight Sergio Parisse, Italy kick-off their Six Nations campaign against France in Paris on Saturday, February 6.

Italy’s Six Nations Squad

Forwards: Martin Castrogiovanni, Dario Chistolini, Lorenzo Cittadini, Andrea Lovotti, Matteo Zanusso, Ornel Gega, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Valerio Bernabo, George Fabio Biagi, Marco Fuser, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse, Jacopo Sarto, Abraham Steyn, Andries van Schalkwyk, Alessandro Zanni.

Backs: Edoardo Gori, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna, Edoardo Padovani, Mattia Bellini, Giulio Bisegni, Michele Campagnaro, Tommaso Castello, Gonzalo Garcia, Kelly Haimona, Luke McLean, David Odiete, Andrea Pratichetti, Leonardo Sarto.