Australia-born fly-half Kristopher Burton has been included in Italy coach Nick Mallett's initial 24-man squad for the start of the Six Nations rugby tournament next month.

Italy will begin a pre-tournament get-together in Rome on January 27 and the 30-year-old Treviso player is one of four names added to the squad since November's last two internationals against Australia and Fiji.

Burton has four previous Italy caps and will provide competition for Luciano Orquera at number 10.

Treviso pair, hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini and centre Gonzalo Garcia, return to the squad following injury while club team-mate and prop Ignacio Rouyet is also added.

Flanker Mauro Bergamasco and former Australia Rugby League international and regular Azzurri fly-half Craig Gower are out with respective shoulder and knee injuries while Riccardo Bocchino and Lorenzo Cittadini drop to Italy A.

This is the group South African Mallett will use to pick pick his 22-man match-day squads for his first two Six Nations games against Ireland in Rome on February 5 and England at Twickenham a week later.

"The matches in November demonstrated the quality we have in this group and it's right to keep those who did well in November," said Mallett.

"While at the same time, in a World Cup year, offering the chance to be a part of the team to two athletes in Rouyet and Burton who are having a good season in the Celtic League with Treviso."

Mallett also had a word of encouragement for those dropped to Italy A, reminding them that he will be taking 30 players to the World Cup in New Zealand later in the year.

"We also have a competitive A team with interesting youngsters and experienced players who will play England and Scotland in the coming weeks," added Mallett.

"It is from this extended group that we will choose the 30 men for the World Cup."

Italy finished bottom of the last Six Nations tournament, as they have done in eight out of 11 participations, with one win and four defeats.

Their overall record in the Six Nations is seven wins, one draw and 47 losses.

In November they lost Test matches at home to Argentina and Australia before beating Fiji.

Squad:

Forwards

Robert Barbieri (Treviso), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester/ENG), Carlo Del Fava (Aironi), Santiago Dellape (Racing Metro/FRA), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Quintin Geldenhuys (Aironi), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro/FRA), Fabio Ongaro (Aironi), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/FRA - capt), Salvatore Perugini (Aironi), Ignacio Rouyet (Treviso), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso)

Backs

Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Mirco Bergamasco (Racing Metro/FRA), Kristopher Burton (Treviso), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont/FRA), Pablo Canavosio (Aironi), Gonzalo Garcia (Treviso), Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Andrea Masi (Racing Metro/FRA), Luke McLean (Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Brive/FRA), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso)

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