Italy boosted by Dominguez return

ROME (Reuters) -- Italy has been boosted by the return of flyhalf Diego Dominguez for its Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin next Saturday.

Dominguez, second in the all-time list of international points-scorers, missed Italy's 44-20 defeat by Wales two weeks ago because of a groin strain.

Dominguez proved his fitness with 19 points for Stade Francais in its 29-24 victory over Colomiers last weekend in the French Championship.

Italy coach Brad Johnstone is also boosted by the return of Denis Dallan and Paolo Vaccari, but Carlo Checchinato and Juan Manuel Queirolo have dropped out through injury to be replaced by Matthew Phillips and Matteo Mazzatini.

Benetton's Walter Pozzebon, man of the match in Italy's victory over the Fiji Islands last November, has also been recalled after recovering from a hand injury that kept him out for two months.

Italy, which failed to win a game in last year's Six Nations, had targeted two victories in this season's competition but, after losing its first three games, it has only Ireland and England to play.

 

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