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Italy coach Conor O'Shea looks to Michele Rizzo as replacement for injured Dario Chistolini

Michele Rizzo of Italy scores a try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Italy and Canada
Image: Michele Rizzo (with ball) returns to the Italy squad for the game with England

Italy coach Conor O'Shea has called up Leicester's Michele Rizzo to replace injured prop Dario Chistolini for the Six Nations meeting with defending champions England.

Zebre's Chistolini has been ruled out of Sunday's trip to Twickenham after suffering a thigh injury against Ireland in Rome last week.

Rizzo has 22 caps for Italy but last played for his country against Ireland at the 2015 World Cup in England, having spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 28:  Italy player Dario Chistolini in action during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Italy at Murrayfield Stad
Image: Italy prop Dario Chistolini has been ruled out of the England game

Italy, who recorded an historic 20-18 win over South Africa last November, began their Six Nations campaign with a 33-7 defeat to Wales before suffering a record 63-10 defeat to Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico.

O'Shea will announce his starting line-up for England on February 22, four days before the Azzurri take on the defending champions.

Italy, who have collected the wooden spoon 11 times in the tournament, have never beaten England in 22 previous meetings.

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