Ireland v ItalyThe worst kept secret in Italian rugby was let out of the bag yesterday when coach Nick Mallett confirmed that Andrea Masi would start at outhalf against Ireland at Croke Park, with the uncapped Andrea Marcato as cover.
It is a leap of faith by the South African who had hinted that such a move was in his thinking, but few expected the Biarritz Olympique back to be thrown in the deep end from such a great height.
However, when the only senior number 10, the inconsistent Ramiro Pez, was one of seven players who missed the cut to 25 it was clear some radical change was afoot.
Masi has 35 caps, mostly at centre or wing, and on Saturday is half of a very inexperienced pairing with Pietro Travagli who wins his third cap at scrumhalf.
Masi remains relaxed about the move, though he was shocked when Mallet initially suggested it.
"At first I thought it was a bit extreme to pick someone who had never played outhalf and was usually in the centres. But we have spoken about the opportunity for it to benefit the team and how it will work."
Masi's selection at 10 means he will face Ronan O'Gara, who in recent weeks has returned to his best form, something Masi is well aware of.
"He is one of the best outhalves in the world. Probably he is the best tactical player. He is good in attack, but not very good in defence; he's not very physical. That said, tactically he is the best in the world."
In desperate times Mallett has again shown that he is not afraid of desperate measures. Since Diego Dominguez retired in 2003 there has been a gaping hole in the midfield, with no one staking a compelling claim to the jersey. Should Masi at 10 work great credit should go to Mallett for his lateral thinking. Masi, along with centres Gonzalo Canale and Mirco Bergamasco are Italy's best players outside the scrum, though there have been problems fitting three into two.
The new coach is confident Masi can finally be the man to bring out the best in Italy's three-quarters and build on the formidable pack's work. To that end Mallett will give him time to develop in the position.
"I have been trying to introduce a bit of variety into the way they play. To do that we need a backline that can be dangerous and attack. That is why I have picked a outhalf that can do that.
"I think he's a player that can play there. There's a chance to see him there and the sooner I get to see him there the better and the sooner he will improve. He will be there for at least the next three games and hopefully the whole Six Nations." The younger Bergamasco will benefit from Masi's promptings and he has few fears of being on the receiving end of hospital passes.
"I've played often with Andrea, usually right and left centre, regardless of who is wearing 12 or 13. He's changing position, but the instructions won't change. I know Andrea and he knows me. We get on well and it will help us prepare so we are 100 per cent when we go on the pitch."
Masi knows how difficult the job will be and realises the important thing is to do the basics well. "I'll keep things as simple as possible and make sure my defence is good. Sure I'll find some things strange, but I trust myself that I can overcome them." Sergio Parisse will captain the side for the first time, whilst Ulster captain Carlo del Fava replaces the injured Marco Bortolami.
