Italy were forced to make four changes to their starting lineup for their match against Wales in Rome on Saturday.

Captain and talisman Sergio Parisse has been ruled out of their final Six Nations game following a foot injury he sustained against France last week and hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini will take over the captaincy.

Mauro Bergamasco comes into the starting XV to complete the loose trio, but will start on the side of the scrum, with Samuela Vunisa shifting to No 8. 

In the front row, tighthead prop Martin Castrogiovanni comes in for Dario Chistolini and Michele Rizzo takes over from Matias Aguero at loosehead.

In the only change to the backs, Tommy Allan is also ruled out through injury and is replaced by Kelly Haimona at flyhalf, who himself was a late withdrawal last week.

Meanwhile, stalwarts Quintin Geldenhuys and Robert Barbieri have been drafted onto the bench.

Italy – 15 Luke McLean, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Giovambattista Venditti, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 George Fabio Biagi, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (c), 1 Michele Rizzo.
Subs: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Robert Barbieri, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Enrico Bacchin.

Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP