Tommaso Allan will replace star Ange Capuozzo for Italy's Six Nations match with Wales on Saturday after the Toulouse full-back was ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a nagging shoulder injury.
Harlequins fly-half Allan replacing Capuozzo is the only change by coach Kieran Crowley to the team that was beaten by Ireland a fortnight ago as Italy do battle with troubled Wales in Rome hoping to avoid yet another wooden spoon.
Italy sit one point above bottom side Wales heading into the clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
"Tommy can play full-back. He did it for us against Samoa and he played very well in that game. He has experience there," coach Kieran Crowley told reporters after his team was announced on Thursday.
"He's also played there for Harlequins in a couple of games. He brings experience."
France-born Capuozzo will miss Italy's final two matches against the Welsh and Scotland after picking up the injury during the Azzurri's loss to the Irish.
Capuozzo, 23, has been one of the stars of the tournament for improved Italy, who have impressed despite losing all three of their games so far.
Team (15-1):Tommaso Allan; Edoardo Padovani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Pierre Bruno; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (capt), Sebastian Negri; Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone; Simone Ferrari, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti
Replacements:Luca Bigi, Federico Zani, Marco Riccioni, Edoardo Iachizzi, Giovanni Pettinelli, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Fusco, Luca Morisi
Coach:Kieran Crowley (NZL)