Parisse misses Italian finale

 

Parisse was forced off injured in Italy's 29-0 defeat to France in Rome last week and has not recovered from an ankle injury in time, meaning Fijian-born Samuela Vunisa comes in at No.8.

 

Flyhalf Kelly Haimona is recalled after being dropped last week in favour of Tommaso Allan but, with the latter sidelined after suffering a hamstring tear in the defeat to France, the New Zealand-born No.10 returns to rekindle his halfback partnership with Edoardo Gori.

 

Italy have also made two changes to the front row, with Martin Castrogiovanni returning at tighthead prop and Michele Rizzo coming in for Dario Chistolini, who drops back to the bench.

 

Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini takes over the captain's armband from Parisse.

 

Parisse's absence and Vunisa's switch to the No.8 position means Italy coach Jacques Brunel has brought Mauro Bergamasco in at openside flank in what will be a rare start for the 101-times capped veteran.

 

Italy beat Scotland 22-19 at Murrayfield three weeks ago to claim their first win of the campaign but despite sitting second bottom of the table two points ahead of the winless Scots, they remain in danger of finishing with the wooden spoon for the second successive year.

 

Scotland are at home to title-chasing Ireland in Edinburgh.

 

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 (captain), 1 Michele Rizzo.

Replacements: 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.