Troncon made his Azzurri debut in 1994 and has gone on to represent his country on 85 occasions, but last appeared in Rome - ironically against France - in March 2005.

Coach Pierre Berbizier has opted for an experienced squad for the match, also calling upon Denis Dallan of Stade Français in the backs.

Dallan is one of a four-strong contingent from the Paris club, while only nine of the 24 players play their rugby for an Italian team.

Andrea Masi of Biarritz is also back in the side after a long absence and return to form from injury at Biarritz.

Fabio Ongaro looks set to play at hooker, despite getting limited game-time at Saracens, and the side will be led by Gloucester's Marco Bortolami

Italy squad: Mauro Bergamasco and Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), Valerio Bernabo (Calvisano), Marco Bortolami (Gloucester, captain), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont-Auvergne), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers), Denis Dallan (Stade Francais), Roland De Marigny (Calvisano), Santiago Dellape (Biarritz), Carlo Festuccia, Paul Griffen (Calvisano), Andrea Lo Cicero (L'Aquila), Andrea Masi (Biarritz), Carlos Nieto (Gloucester), Fabio Ongaro (Saracens), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais), Salvatore Perugini (Toulouse), Ramiro Pez (Bayonne), Kaine Robertson (Viadana), Andrea Scanavacca (Calvisano), Josh Sole (Viadana), Alessandro Troncon (Clermont-Auvergne), Maurizio Zaffiri (Calvisano), Alessandro Zanni (Calvisano).