SIX NATIONS:Flanker Paul Derbyshire, centre Gonzalo Garcia and fullback Paolo Buso have been recalled to the Italy squad for their first two Six Nations championship games against France and Scotland next month.

Coach Jacques Brunel has otherwise stuck with the squad which beat Tonga in November before spirited displays in defeats by New Zealand and Australia.

Derbyshire won the last of his 16 caps under former coach Nick Mallett in 2011, the same month Garcia last wore the Azzurri colours. Zebre’s Buso (26) has played just 40 minutes for Italy in the 2008 Six Nations.

Winger and place kicker Mirco Bergamacso is missing through long-term injury along with former captain Marco Bortolami.

Italy, who finished fifth in last year’s Six Nations after beating bottom side Scotland, host Brunel’s French compatriots at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on February 3rd before heading to Murrayfield to face the Scots the following Saturday.

Outhalf Rhys Patchell is not ready to play for Wales, according to Cardiff Blues director of rugby Phil Davies.

Wales name their Six Nations squad on January 15th with Cardiff youngster Patchell tipped to replace the injured Rhys Priestland. But Davies believes the 19-year-old stand off should be considered for the Wales Under-20 side before joining the senior squad.

“We must nurture him until he’s ready to play for Wales, and at the moment he’s not ready,” said Davies.

ITALY(squad): Forwards: Robert Barbieri, Martin Castrogiovanni, Lorenzo Cittadini, Alberto De Marchi, Paul Derbyshire, Simone Favaro, Joshua Furno, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Davide Giazzon, Quintin Geldenhuys, Andrea Lo Cicero, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse (captain), Antonio Pavanello, Michele Rizzo, Ratu Vosawai, Alessandro Zanni. Backs: Tommaso Benvenuti, Tobias Botes, Kristopher Burton, Paolo Buso, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Edoardo Gori, Tommaso Iannone, Andrea Masi, Luke Mclean, Luciano Orquera, Alberto Sgarbi, Giovanbattista Venditti.