Two changes for the Azzurri
Kaine Robertson drops to the bench with Andrea Masi taking his place at No14, while Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami replaces Carlo Antonio Del Fava from the starting XV that lost 29-11 in Ireland last weekend.
Del Fava is set to undergo surgery on his right knee after sustaining damage to his meniscus, and looks set to be sidelined for a month.
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Hide AdThe Azzurri welcome back Valerio Bernabo after a two-year absence in the only change to the bench.
Bernabo takes injured scrum-half Simone Picone's place among the replacements.
The Italians head into this weekend's encounter looking to push England close just as they did the last time the sides met at the Stadio Flaminio, when the visitors secured a hard-fought 23-18 win two years ago.