I've got no choice but to gamble on Mauro, says Mallett

Bergamasco has played in the back division during previous injury and selection crisis situations for the Italians but this is a different proposition, given the importance of the link work the No9 is responsible for achieving in the white hot intensity of a Test match.

Mallett had hoped that Pablo Canavosio would recover in time but the scrum-half is struggling with a knee problem and injuries have also ruled out Simon Piccone and Pietro Travagli.

"I didn't have much choice," said Mallett. "Mauro is not ideal because he has never played before in this role but this is my choice and I take full responsibility.

"This is something I want to try. Mauro has no fear of these type of games and I hope he has a great game against England.

"He will be under a lot of pressure but he is a player with experience - he has earned 69 caps for Italy already.

"I believe Bergamasco will make more tackles on Saturday than had he played on the back row.

"This is a difficult game but the whole team is behind him. I want Mauro to go into this game in the best possible psychological condition."

Bergamasco, whose brother Mirco is on the left wing, is taking a pragmatic view knowing that if he makes a good job of the new role he will have enhanced his reputation as one of the world's most versatile players.

"There is never a right game to make a debut in a certain position," said Bergamasco. "However, I do hope this is the right game for me. It will only make me a better rugby player."

Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni, Italy's top try-scorer in last year's Six Nations, has made the team despite being out for nearly a year through injury.

Castrogiovanni, one of the most powerful props in the sport, said; "I am very happy to be playing.

"Although I am not yet in the best form to play at the highest level, I will give everything I have on Saturday and if I can play 40 or 50 minutes that will be good."

The Azzurri finished bottom of the table last year with only one win, against Scotland, in the final round of fixtures, but they gave England plenty of problems before falling to a 23-19 defeat in Rome.