PARIS, 18 September – Italy have made seven changes to the side that will face Portugal at Paris' Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
The match, which is the third IRB Rugby World Cup Pool C game for both teams, will be especially memorable for Italy scrum half Alessandro Troncon, who will receive his 100th cap.
Both squads have been plagued by injury in the lead-up. For Italy, Leonardo Ghiraldini replaces the injured Carlo Festuccia at hooker, second row Carlo Del Fava comes in for Santiago Dellape and number 8 Manoa Vosawai for Josh Sole.
Troncon takes the place of Paul Griffen; Roland de Marigny returns to the starting line-up as fly half for Ramiro Pez and wings Matteo Pratichetti and Pablo Canavosio come in for Marko Stanojevic and Kaine Robertson.
Portugal, meanwhile, have lost Marcello d'Orey and Diogo Coutinho to injury. They are also missing Juan Severino Somoza, who was suspended for four weeks for foul play during the team's first RWC 2007 match against Scotland.
Portugal captain Vasco Uva left the pitch early during the team's match against New Zealand in Lyon, but he has been declared fit to lead the side, which has been concentrating on improving their line-outs and defence.
Both teams were easily beaten by the All Blacks. However, while Pez said the loss had affected his team's confidence, Portugal were delighted to score a try against one of the tournament favourites.
Italy will be hoping for a repeat of their October, 2006 World Cup qualifying match against Portugal, which they won 83-0.
Portugal, though, are ready for action. A sign in their hotel lobby this week read: "We want revenge against Italy…do you?"
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