Italy makes 4 changes in bid for 1st win in Six Nations against Wales

Coach Nick Mallett will make four changes to his starting lineup as Italy seeks its first win in the rugby Six Nations against Wales on Saturday.

Andrea Marcato will start at fullback replacing the injured David Bortolussi and Alberto Sgarbi will be at right wing, the Italian Rugby Federation said Wednesday.

Both Marcato and Sgarbi will make their debut as starters.

The other changes for Italy, which has already lost to Ireland and England, are Simon Picone at scrum half and Salvatore Perugini at loosehead prop.

After Saturday's game at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the Azzurri travel to Paris to play France on March 9 and then host Scotland in Rome on March 15.

Lock and former captain Marco Bortolami, who missed the first two games of the tournament because of an eye injury, will start on the bench.

Bortolami suffered a fracture near his left eye while playing for his club Gloucester last month.

In their 14 previous meetings, Wales has won 11 times to Italy's two, with one draw.

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Italy team:

Andrea Marcato, Alberto Sgarbi, Gonzalo Canale, Mirco Bergamasco, Ezio Galon, Andrea Masi, Simon Picone, Sergio Parisse, Mauro Bergamasco, Josh Sole, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Santiago Dellape, Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Salvatore Perugini.

Replacements: Carlo Festuccia, Andrea Lo Cicero, Marco Bortolami, Alessandro Zanni, Pietro Travagli, Paolo Buso, Enrico Patrizio.