Carlo Canna will replace the injured Tommaso Allan at fly-half in one of three changes by Italy coach Conor O'Shea for Saturday's Six Nations meeting with France at Stadio Olimpico.
Italy, heading for another wooden spoon after defeats to Wales, Ireland and England, host Les Bleus with redemption on their minds two weeks after an otherwise encouraging performance at Twickenham.
England ran out 36-15 winners to secure what was their 17th consecutive win, in which Allan missed three penalties for the visitors before hobbling off injured. He will miss Italy's final two Six Nations matches.
Canna returns to the fore, with Angelo Esposito in at right wing to replace Giuglio Bisegni, who has been rested and with hooker Ornel Gega also injured and out of the matchday squad, Leonardo Ghiraldini comes off the bench.
Italy captain Sergio Parisse will start at No 8 to earn his 125th cap, in the process overtaking South Africa winger Bryan Habana to move up to eighth in the all-times appearances list.
Italy's last win over France came at the Olimpico in 2013.
France's hopes of challenging tournament leaders England for the title faded after a 19-9 loss to Ireland in Dublin last time out.
Italy: 15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luke McLean, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Edoardo Gori; 1 Andrea Lovotti, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 4 Marco Fuser, 5 Andries Van Schalkwyk, 6 Braam Steyn, 7 Simone Favaro, 8 Sergio Parisse (c).
Replacements: 16 Tommasso D'Apice, 17 Sami Panico, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 George Biagi, 20 Maxime Mbanda, 21 Giorgio Bronzini, 22 Tommaso Benvenuti, 23 Luca Sperandio.