Bortolami headlines Italy 'A' selection
Italy ‘A’ team coach Gianluca Guidi has been able to call on the services of a host of stars with European experience for the encounter with Tonga at the Vittorio Pozzo stadium in Biella on Friday.
Marco Bortolami, a 84-Test veteran from the Italian national team, the Azzurri, headlines the list of players who have featured prominently in the Celtic League and other European competitions this season.
There are 11 players from Benetton Treviso and four from Aironi.
Apart from Bortolami, there is also his second row partner Antonio Pavanello, who will captain the side, and a hoist of other players with Test experience – fullback Andrea Marcato (16 caps), wings Matteo Pratichetti (22 caps) and Michele Sepe (three caps), centre Gonzalo Garcia (18 caps), flyhalf Kristopher Burton (five caps), No.8 Valerio Bernabò (15 caps), flank Simone Favaro (six caps), props Ignacio Rouyet (seven caps) and Matias Aguero (17 caps), as well as hooker Franco Sbaraglini (five caps).
The Tongan team is captained by veteran loose forward Finau Maka.
Teams:
Italy A: 15 Andrea Marcato, 14 Matteo Pratichetti, 13 Andrea Pratichetti, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Michele Sepe, 10 Kristopher Burton, 9 Fabio Semenzato, 8 Valerio Bernabo’, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 Ignacio Rouyet, 2 Franco Sbaraglini, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Massimiliano Ravalle, 19 Gabriele Cicchinelli, 20 Luca Petillo, 21 Tito Tebaldi, 22 Giulio Rubini.
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Filimone Lilo, 14 Mateo Vakatalau Malupo, 13 Alaska Taufa, 12 Andrew Mailei, 11 William Helu, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Samiu Vahafolau, 7 Finau Maka (captain), 6 Tukulua Lokotui, 5 Sakuraemosi Kauhenga, 4 Paino Hehea, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Ephraim Taukafa, 1 Tonga Leaaetoa.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Maasi, 17 Ofa Fangaanuku, 18 Lisiate Faaoso, 19 Uelenitoni Fono, 20 Thomas Palu, 21 Soane Havea, 22 Isileli Matakaiongo Tupou.
Date: Friday, November 19
Venue: Stadio Vittorio Pozzo, Biella
Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT)
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
