Italy outside-half Craig Gower announced on Wednesday he will not take part in the World Cup as he has not fully recovered from a knee ligament injury.

The Bayonne player has been replaced in Italy's preliminary squad by Kristopher Burton.

"I'm not today in a position to express myself 100 per cent and I don't think I will be in the next few months," he said.

"It's not been an easy decision. Playing in a World Cup is the target of every player."

Australia-born Gower underwent surgery on his knee ligaments in November.

"The healing process has not gone as I expected and I don't feel capable of undergoing such high-level preparation without having returned to full fitness," he added.

Italy's South African coach Nick Mallett has named a squad of 36 players for a training camp beginning on July 3 in northern Italy's South Tyrol province.

He will then announce a 30-man squad for the World Cup in New Zealand ahead of two preparatory matches, against Japan in Cesena on August 13 and Scotland in Edinburgh on August 20.

Italy have been drawn in Group C at the World Cup, alongside Australia, Ireland, Russia and the United States.

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