Italy - The Azzurri

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Coach:
Pierre Berbizier

Previous World Cups:
1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003

Best Performance:
Pool Stage 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003
Third 1987

Played:
16 - 5 wins, 11 losses

World Ranking:
No.9

Fixtures:
v New Zealand, Marseille, September 8
v Romania, Marseille, September 12
v Portugal, Paris, September 19
v Scotland, St-Etienne, September 29
Squad:

Facts:
Italy
1. The Five Nations became the Six Nations in 2000 when Italy was accepted into the competition.
2. The Azzurri won two matches in the 2003 edition of the World Cup - their best return to date.
3. Marcello Cuttitta is the nation's leading try-scorer with 25.
4. Italy's heaviest defeat came in June 1999 against South Africa when it lost 101-0.
5. Former No.10 Diego Dominguez holds Italy's points record with 983.

Key Players:

MAURO BERGAMASCO
Flanker Mauro Bergamasco is part of the spine of Pierre Berbizier's team. The Stade Francais man is widely accepted as one of Italy's few world-class performers.

He has made massive strides in recent years and in the last Six Nations tournament he scored a vital try in the last few minutes against Wales at the Flaminio Stadium.

ALESSANDRO TRONCON
Also outstanding in the last Six Nations, was Alessandro Troncon who is a true leader on the pitch.

Troncon has made more Test appearances than any other player in Italian rugby union history.

The veteran halfback made his Italy debut against Spain in 1994 and played alongside the legendary Dominguez on more than 50 occasions.

In 2007 Troncon was named man of the match as he scored a try in Italy's first overseas victory at Murrayfield against Scotland.

He was named man of the match in the defeat to England at Twickenham in the same tournament. Berbizier has decided to give him one last World Cup run-out.

SERGIO PARISSE
According to the media in Italy, Sergio Parisse has been the most influential player in the past few years alongside the Bergamasco brothers Mirco and Mauro.

The Stade Francais No.8 is notable for his gladiator spirit and never giving up on the pitch. He will certainly be one of the Azzurri players to watch in France.

A player with great international experience, Parisse is also coming off a great season in the French Top 14.

MIRCO BERGAMASCO
Mirco Bergamasco established himself as a regular in the Azzurri side under John Kirwan's reign, but suffered a jaw injury during the 2003 World Cup in Australia, and was forced to miss all but two of Italy's games - spoiling a great year which had seen him score three tries in the Six Nations.

He is now playing alongside his brother Mauro for both club (Stade Francais) and country, having joined the Paris side in 2004. Mirco appears to be an essential player in the Azzurri line-up as he gives the backs some penetration in the centre.

If Italy is to win matches, it needs him in the game as much as possible.

MARTIN CASTROGIOVANNI
Born in Parana in Argentina, prop Martin Castrogiovanni played for Atletico Estudiantes and appeared for Argentina at under-19 and under-21 (in 2001) level before moving to Italy.

After his debut for Calvisano at L'Aquila in October, 2001, Castrogiovanni made 72 appearances for the club in the Italian Super 10, scoring seven tries.

An ever-present for Italy during the 2003 World Cup in Australia, he has also played in Italy's last 19 Six Nations Championship matches.

Castrogiovanni also had a super season with Leicester, grabbing the Guinness Premiership Player of the Year award.