Pratichetti gets Azzuri call-up

Italy have called up Treviso centre Andrea Pratichetti to replace injured Gonzalo Canale for the Tests against New Zealand and Australia, the Italian rugby federation (FIR) announced Thursday.

Pratichetti, who made his debut for the Azzuri last year in Toronto against Canada, "has been called into the national squad for the Tests against New Zealand and Australia," an FIR statement said.

"He will join the Azzuri on Sunday in place of the injured Gonzalo Canale."

The first of Italy's three end-of-year Tests comes against Tonga this Saturday in Brescia.

The Azzurri will then host the All Blacks at Rome's Olympic stadium on November 17 before hosting Australia in Florence on November 24.

AFP