Italy announce their Squad for the Six Nations

From PlanetRugby.com

Sergio Parisse will lead Italy once again as part of Jacques Brunel's 30-man squad for the Six Nations which will start against Ireland.

The Azzurri finished last in 2014, losing all their games, but were victorious the last time they played Ireland on home soil.

Parisse is one of three French-based players, along with Perpignan's Tommaso Allan and Toulon's Martin Castrogiovanni, while there are six English-based players.

Pro12 basement side Zebre dominate the squad, with 13 players, while Treviso provide a further seven.

Finally uncapped Calvisano scrum-half Marcello Violi is a surprise pick, and will challenge Edoardo Gori and Guglielmo Palazzani for game time.

Brunel has named an experienced squad, with the likes of Castriogiovanni joined by Leonardo Ghiraldini and Marco Bortolami in the pack.

The backs are a little younger, although there is still room for Andrea Masi and Luke McLean, while breakout stars from last year's tournament, Michele Campagnaro and Leonardo Sarto are also included.

Italy squad for the Six Nations:

Forwards: Matias Aguero (Zebre), Martin Castrogiovanni (Toulon), Dario Chistolini (Zebre), Alessandro De Marchi (Sale), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Leicester), Andrea Manici (Zebre), George Biagi (Zebre), Marco Bortolami (Zebre), Joshua Furno (Newcastle), Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Robert Barbieri (Leicester), Mauro Bergamasco (Zebre), Simone Favaro (Treviso), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Sergio Parisse (c) (Stade Français), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso)

Backs: Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre), Marcello Violi (Calvisano), Tommaso Allan (Perpignan), Kelly Haimona (Zebre), Giulioi Bisegni (Zebre), Michele Campagnaro (Treviso), Andrea Masi (Wasps), Luke McLean (Sale), Luca Morisi (Treviso), Simone Ragusi (Treviso), Leonardo Sarto (Zebre), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre), Michele Visentin (Zebre)

From ESPN

Italy have named four uncapped backs in their 31-man training squad ahead of the Six Nations.
Treviso's Simone Ragusi, Calvisano's Marcello Violi, Zebre's Michele Visentin and Giulio Bisegni have all been given the nod while Jacques Brunel has recalled Mauro Bergamasco and Giovanbattista Venditti.
The squad meet from January 25 through to 28 in Rome and will prepare for their Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 7. For Brunel, the competition will give him a chance to run the rule over some of the younger players at his disposal.
"The tournament is the last real opportunity to test some young people who are proving to have interesting qualities in Guinness PRO12 or, as in the case of Violi, at the top of the Italian top division," Brunel said. "For them it is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate their worth in the year of the Rugby World Cup.

Read more at http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2015/rugby/story/253073.html#7KWEBtQzAArzzplP.99