Double blow for Azzurri
taly suffered a setback in their preparations for the clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday – with Alessandro Zanni and Michele Campagnaro ruled out due to injury.
Both players were involved in the opening-round defeat to Ireland in Rome last weekend, each suffering damage to their knees.
Benetton Treviso centre Campagnaro, who made his Six Nations debut last year, is expected to be out for six weeks due to a medial knee ligament injury.
Zanni meanwhile sustained a partial anterior tear and while there is no estimate on his recovery time yet, the back row veteran is likely to play no further part in Italy's Championship.
In their place come flank Samuela Vunisa, who has made one Italy appearance, and uncapped centre Tommaso Boni.
England themselves were forced to cope with a rash of injuries before their impressive opening victory over Wales and Stuart Lancaster is not likely to make many changes after his side emerged from Wales unscathed.
Italy were under pressure from Ireland for much of their clash at the Stadio Olimpico, and Italy centre Andrea Masi admitted: "We need to play a different type of game if we hope to beat England."
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