British and Irish Lions

Italy will warm up for this season's RBS 6 Nations tournament with an inaugural challenge match against a World XV made up of foreigners playing in the Super 10.

Joint coaches Gilbert Doucet and Jannie Breedt have named a strong squad for the clash against John Kirwan's Azzurri, which will be held at Treviso's Monigo Stadium on February 7.

Italy begin their RBS 6 Nations campaign against world champions England in Rome on February 15.

World XV squad for Skoda Super All Star 2004 Challenge:

Forwards: Caine Elisara, Milton Ngauamo (Ghial Calvisano), Pieter Myburgh (SKG GRAN Parma), Rodrigo Sanchez, Hernan Mazino (Conad L'Aquila), Deon Kingi (Admo Leonessa), Lucas Ostiglia (Safilo Petrarca), Akvsenti Giorgadze, Willem Wium, Marcel Socaciu (ARD Rovigo), Pierre Ribbens, Jaco Erasmus (Benetton Treviso), Gregor Hayter (Arix Viadana).

Backs: Apenisa Vodo (Ghial Calvisano), Ross Cook (SKG GrAN Parma), Alesana Tuilagi (Overmach Parma), Ben Meyer (Admo Leonessa), Brendan Williams (Benetton Treviso), Tom Beim, Harley Crane (Arix Viadana).

British & Irish Lions tour manager Andy Irvine has backed Warren Gatland's call to protect his Test side for Saturday by picking a makeshift side to face the Brumbies in Canberra tonight.

Shane Williams will become the oldest back to play for the British & Irish Lions when he makes his 15th appearance in the famous jersey after answering an emergency SOS from former Wales team mate Rob Howley.