Lo Cicero gets Italy call

Lo Cicero gets Italy call

Andrea Lo Cicero was locked in a dispute with French side Toulouse

Veteran prop Andrea Lo Cicero has been named in the Italy squad for the Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham on 9 March.

Lo Cicero has failed to find a club since refusing to return to French giants Toulouse.

The player said he was suffering from depression and demanded the Italian Rugby Federation allow him to play for an amateur side.

He had to produce a medical certificate supporting his claim after Toulouse issued a veto forbidding him to play and was eventually able to represent Italy against Spain and Romania.

There is also a recall for South African-born kicker Gert Peens, who is vying with Ramiro Pez for the right to replace the injured Diego Dominguez.

Italy coach John Kirwan has also handed call-ups to several A team players following the 37-13 defeat by Ireland.

Centre Andrea Masi, number eight Matteo Mazzantini and hooker Fabio Ongaro will all make the trip to Twickenham.

But Calvisano's Andrea Moretti and Manuel Queirolo, who plays for French side Dax, have been left out.

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Squad: Mauro Bergamasco, Denis Dallan, Ramiro Martinez, Fabio Ongaro, Scott Palmer, Alessandro Troncon (all Treviso), Martin Leandro Castrogiovanni, Giampiero De Carli, Andrea De Rossi, Giovanni Raineri, Paolo Vaccari (all Calvisano), Mirco Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami (both Padova), Cristian Bezzi, Aaron Persico, Matthew Phillips (all Viadana), Mark Giacheri, Ramiro Pez (both Rotherham/Eng), Matteo Mazzantini (Rovigo), Andrea Masi (L'Aquila) Gert Peens (Overmach Parma) Carlo Festuccia (Rugby Parma); Cristian Stoica (Castres/Fra), Andrea Lo Cicero (no team).