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Benvenuti back in familiar role

Friday 16 September 2011, 6:55PM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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Tommaso Benvenuti will win his 10th cap for Italy against the Russians
Tommaso Benvenuti will win his 10th cap for Italy against the Russians Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011

NELSON

Tommaso Benvenuti is one of only two players to keep their place in the Italy team to meet Russia in their second match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, along with captain and talisman Sergio Parisse.

The 20-year-old moves from wing to centre and his retention shows his growing importance to the Azzurri despite being the youngest player in the squad.

"I hope to have more chances to run with the ball in hand and more opportunities to score," Benvenuti said. "It is a position I have played a lot and is nothing new to me.

"It now becomes a personal challenge to show I deserve to stay there. I had a pretty good game against Australia but I can do better, especially as I didn't receive a lot of passes."

Benvenuti is set to win his 10th cap for the Azzurri, having made his debut against Argentina in Verona last November.

Hometown team

He has featured exclusively on the wing for the national side, but earlier this season he made Heineken Cup headlines at centre by running in two tries for Treviso against Leicester Tigers then followed up a week later with another double for his hometown team at Perpignan.

"I took a lot of confidence from the season I had with Treviso and I hope our game plan gives me the chance to get my hands on the ball more," he said.

Benvenuti is one of a handful of young players who have forced their way into coach Nick Mallett's plans.

Fly half RIccardo Bocchino, 23, scrum half Edoardo Gori, 21, and flanker Paul Derbyshire, 24, will also start the match at Nelson's Trafalgar Park on Tuesday.

"I think Nick has made this choice because he has faith in us, confidence in how we play and trusts us to do well," said Benvenuti.

"It is a big challenge for us to show what we can do and not only be considered for the bench and only called up in emergencies."