Leeds, England: Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco will become the second player to feature in a match at five Rugby World Cups if he comes off the bench against Canada in Pool D on Saturday.
The 36-year-old Bergamasco, who first played in the tournament in 1999, would tie the record of Samoa winger Brian Lima at Elland Road - the home of second-tier English soccer club Leeds United.
The Italians made four changes Thursday from the 32-10 loss to France on Sunday, two in both midfield and the front row.
Gonzalo Garcia and Tommaso Benvenuti replaced Andrea Masi, who sustained a tournament-ending Achilles injury against France, and the benched Michele Campagnaro at center. Props Matias Aguero and Martin Castrogiovanni dropped out out for Michele Rizzo and Lorenzo Cittadini.
Captain Tyler Ardron is back from a knee injury for Canada in one of six changes from the team which began the 50-7 loss to Ireland on Saturday. It is Canada’s oldest starting lineup at a Rugby World Cup, even though the players’ combined total of 412 caps is fewer than Italy’s.
“I was pretty much ready to go against Ireland,” Ardron said, “but now having this extra week ... I’ve trained at 100 per cent for a few weeks now.”
Brothers Phil and Jamie Mackenzie will start for Canada in the same team for the first time at a World Cup.
Italy have won their last four tests against Canada, with the streak starting with a 19-14 victory in Canberra at the World Cup in 2003.
