Gonzalo Quesada has named his team for an all-important Super Saturday meeting with Wales at 16:15 (SA Time).
It will be the 33rd match between the two teams, the last of which in Cardiff saw the Azzurri claim a famous victory.
Fullback Lorenzo Pani returns to the starting XV after missing the last two rounds of action, featuring in a back three with Michael Lynagh and Ioane. Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello continue their potent midfield partnership, while Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney will look to control things in the half-backs.
Lorenzo Cannone returns to wear the number eight jersey, with captain Michael Lamaro and Sebastian Negri completing the back row. In the second row are Niccolò Cannone and Federico Ruzza, with Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera and Simon Ferrari in the front row.
Italy: 15 Lorenzo PANI, 14 Louis LYNAGH, 13 Juan Ignacio BREX, 12 Tommaso MENONCELLO, 11 Monty IOANE, 10 Paolo GARBISI, 9 Stephen VARNEY, 8 Lorenzo CANNONE, 7 Michele LAMARO, 6 Sebastian NEGRI, 5 Federico RUZZA, 4 Niccolò CANNONE, 3 Simone FERRARI, 2 Giacomo NICOTERA, 1 Danilo FISCHETTI. Replacements: 16 Gianmarco LUCCHESI, 17 Mirco SPAGNOLO, 18 Giosuè ZILOCCHI, 19 Andrea ZAMBONIN, 20 Ross VINTCENT, 21 Manuel ZULIANI, 22 Martin PAGE-RELO, 23 Leonardo MARIN.