Azzurri call-up for Campo

By Mark Stevens
24/11/16

Exeter Chiefs centre Michele Campagnaro has been named on Italy’s bench ahead of their Crédit Agricole Autumn international with Tonga this weekend in Padova (2pm).

Campagnaro returns to the national side for the first time since recovering from a hamstring injury that has limited him to just one appearance for the Chiefs this season.

Although he is back for the Azzurri, they will be without star captain Sergio Parisse who is suspended.

Parisse, 32, will be forced to serve part of a three-week suspension handed down by the LNR for an incident involving Parisse with his club Stade Français.

He received a three-week suspension for “foul play” at a disciplinary hearing in Paris on Wednesday for an incident which occured in a match against Bordeaux-Bègles on November 5.

The Azzurri are coming off a 20-18 win over the Springboks that captain Sergio Parisse called the greatest result in the history of Italian rugby.

Head coach Conor O'Shea said: "There are a lot of expectations surrounding us but we're only focusing on winning and above all on our discipline and solid play. ... The match with South Africa is finished. Now we're looking ahead."

Campagnaro’s Exeter team-mate Elvis Taione is expected to be part of Tonga’s match-day squad, alongside former Chief Fetu’u Vainikolo.