FRONT-ROW
1. Andrea Lo Cicero (103 caps, 56%)
2. Leonardo Ghiraldini (104 caps, 57.5%)
3. Martin Castrogiovanni (119 caps, 86.8%)
Experience was the order of the day up front, with the front-row trio earning 326 international caps between them during their storied careers.
In fact, Andrea Lo Cicero, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Martin Castrogiovanni combined for 162 appearances in the Championship alone and Castrogiovanni – with his instantly recognisable long hair, bushy beard and take-no-prisoners style of rugby – earned a mammoth 86.8% of the votes at tighthead.
SECOND-ROW
4. Carlo Checchinato (83 caps, 18%)
5. Marco Bortolami (112 caps, 57.3%)
The second row sees Italy’s youngest ever captain – and skipper for the two-win 2007 campaign – Marco Bortolami comfortably selected alongside one of the Azzurri originals from that 2000 Championship, Carlo Checchinato, who just edges out Quintin Geldenhuys with 18% of the vote.
BACK-ROW
6. Mauro Bergamasco (106 caps, 49.4%)
7. Simone Favaro (36 caps, 27.2%)
8. Sergio Parisse (142 caps, 87.2%)
At flanker, Mauro Bergamasco’s 15 years of experience, which included memorable appearances on the wing and at scrum-half, sees him chosen in addition to tackling machine Simone Favaro.
And there is no surprise at No.8 where the legendary Sergio Parisse was an all-but unanimous selection with 87.2% of the vote, higher than any other player.