Bortolami back in Italy squad

News round-up: Italy welcome back Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami for the Six Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff on February 23rd.

Bortolami, who missed the narrow defeats to Ireland and England through an eye injury, has been included in Nick Mallett's 24-man squad. The former Italy captain takes Tommaso Reato's place in the Azzurri party.

Reato made his senior debut in Italy's 16-11 defeat against Ireland at Croke Park.

Meanwhile, former Ireland international Jeremy Staunton has returned to Wasps on loan from London Irish for the remainder of the season as additional backs cover.

Staunton left Adams Park last summer after making 34 appearances in two years.

Italy squad: Backs: Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), D Bortolussi (Montpellier), G Canale (Clermont-Auvergne), P Canavosio (Castres), A Masi (Biarritz Olympique), K Robertson (Arix Viadana), E Galon (Overmach Cariparma), A Marcato (Benetton Treviso), S Picone (Benetton Treviso), A Sgarbi (Benetton Treviso). Forwards: Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Francais), M Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers), C Antonio del Fava (Ulster), S Dellape (Biarritz Olympique), C Festuccia (Racing Metro Paris), L Ghiraldini (Cammi Calvisano), A Lo Cicero (Racing Metro Paris), S Parisse (Stade Francais), S Perugini (Stade Toulousain), J Sole (Arix Viadana), A Zanni (Cammi Calvisano), M Bortolami (Gloucester), C Nieto (Gloucester RFC), P Travagli (Overmach Cariparma).