Sergio Parisse will set a new Guinness Six Nations record on Saturday afternoon when he lines up against Scotland for his 66th appearance in Rugby’s Greatest Championship.
The Azzurri skipper starts at No.8, going clear of Brian O’Driscoll’s previous total of 65, when Conor O’Shea’s side line up at BT Murrayfield (KO: 14:15 GMT).
But the captain, who returns to the side after missing the Autumn Internationals through injury, is no the only one celebrating a milestone.
Leonardo Ghiraldini wins his 100th cap as he starts at hooker, flanked either side by Andrea Lovotti and Simone Ferrari.
Behind them, David Sisi is handed his debut at second row, and will provide the firepower in the engine room alongside Dean Budd, while Sebastian Negri and Abraham Steyn start alongside Parisse.
In the backs, Luca Morisi gets the nod with Tommaso Castello in the midfield, with Jayden Hayward, Angelo Esposito and Michele Campagnaro comprising the back three.
Tommaso Allan starts at fly-half, with Tito Tebaldi handed the No.9 jersey.
On the bench Zebre’s Jimmy Tuivaiti will look for his second cap after making his debut against Ireland in November, while club teammates Guglielmo Palazzani and Edoardo Padovani join him among the replacements.
Completing the 23 are Benetton quintet Luca Bigi, Cherif Traoré, Tiziano Pasquali, Federico Ruzza and Ian McKinley.
Italy team to face Scotland
15. Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby) 14. Angelo Esposito (Benetton Rugby) 13. Luca Morisi (Benetton Rugby) 12. Tommaso Castello (Zebre Rugby) 11. Michele Campagnaro (Wasps) 10. Tommaso Allan (Benetton Rugby) 9. Tito Tebaldi (Benetton Rugby)
1. Andrea Lovotti (Zebre Rugby) 2. Leonardo Ghiraldini (Toulouse) 3. Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby) 4. David Sisi (Zebre Rugby) 5. Dean Budd (Benetton Rugby) 6. Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby) 7. Abraham Steyn (Benetton Rugby) 8. Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais) (c)
Replacements: 16. Luca Bigi (Benetton Rugby) 17. Cherif Traore (Benetton Rugby) 18. Tiziano Pasquali (Benetton Rugby) 19. Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby) 20. Jimmy Tuivaiti (Zebre Rugby) 21. Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre Rugby) 22. Ian McKinley (Benetton Rugby) 23. Edoardo Padovani (Zebre Rugby)
