Azzurri has Captain Fantastic back

INJURY UPDATE: Italy captain Sergio Parisse has recovered from a head injury and is available to face England and France in the two final games of this year's Six Nations.

The 136-time Test international missed the Azzurri's 26-16 defeat to Ireland on Sunday with a concussion but he has been named in an extended squad for the last two fixtures of the championship.

Forwards Jake Polledri and Oliviero Fabiani could make their first international appearances of the year as they are included on the 35-man list.

Uncapped pair of former England Under-20 captain Callum Braley and hooker Marco Riccioni are also brought into the fold.

Italy is looking to snap a record run of 20 straight Six Nations defeats dating back to 2015 as they travel to England on March 9 and welcome France to Rome a week later.

Coach Conor O'Shea said the squad will be decreased to 26 for the trip to London before it is increased to 31 for their last fixture of the tournament.

Agence France-Presse