Main Issues
Italy's power up front has never been in any doubt, but since Diego Dominguez departed more than a decade ago they have struggled to find a player capable of dictating play behind the scrum. Heading into the World Cup Jacques Brunel possesses a squad that contains some exciting backs but still there is no-one to knit them all together. Kelly Haimona and Tommaso Allan shared fly-half duties in the Six Nations without either convincing, and with no other No10 named in Brunel's provisional 40-man squad it seems Italy's problems in the position will persist.
Squad Strength
Italy are ranked a lowly 15th by World Rugby, below Georgia, Japan, Tonga and Fiji, although, the list is skewed slightly by the standard of competition the Azzurri face. Coach Brunel is able to call on a wealth of experience, though, and his provisional squad contains four players with at least a century of caps to their name, while Andrea Masi has 91. On the flip side, more than a third of the squad are 30 or over. But while their limbs might creak, they know how to play at the top level with 12 plying their trade in either England or France.
Injury Concerns
Alessandro Zanni is still in rehabilitation following a serious knee injury picked up against Ireland in the Six Nations. The flanker needed surgery but is expected to return to training next month, and take his place in the squad. Brunel will also be praying that talisman Sergio Parisse comes through the Top 14 final unscathed.
What are the locals saying
"Jacques Brunel has had second thoughts and decided to call up 50 players for the World Cup in September. The Italian coach had initially suggested he would list only 31 players for the three preparatory meetings but has reconsidered - we will start with 40 players plus 10 reserves which will then become 31 for the World Cup." - Corriere dello Sport