Italy scrumhalf Alessandro Troncon faces a late fitness test before his country's Six Nations clash with France on Saturday.
Troncon was named on Thursday in Brad Johnstone's starting line-up for the match in Rome but on Friday the coach revealed the Montferrand player has been suffering a calf injury.
"His calf has been tightening on him all week," Johnstone said. "We've given him a scan and it's not a major tear but unfortunately the contraction is restricting his running."
Johnstone said Troncon had been rested for the last two days and would undergo the test on Saturday. "I still think there's a good chance he'll take the pitch for the match," Johnstone said.
Troncon, capped 54 times, was suspended for Italy's 80-23 defeat against England two weeks ago after punching Peter Stringer in Italy's opening Six Nations defeat by Ireland.
Juan Manuel Queirolo, who played against England, will start the match if Troncon fails the test. Reuters