Italy coach Brad Johnstone has made four changes to his run-on team that face Fiji at Churchill Park on Saturday from the side that fell 43-24 to Samoa last week.

Prop Giampiero De Carli gets promoted from the bench to replace Tino Paoletti; David Dal Maso comes into the back row for Andrea De Rossi; Giacomo Preo starts at inside centre in favour of Manual Dallan; while Giovanni Raineri also joins a re-shuffled backline with no place for fullback Corrado Pilat.

Johnstone, looking for Italy¹s first win of their brief tour of the South Pacific, has also juggled his loose forwards around in an attempt to counter the impressive form of Fiji¹s Jope Tuikabe at flanker and Inoke Male at No.8.

Italy lost their opening three matches ­ two in Apia last week and one in Sigatoka on Wednesday ­ and could do with a strong performance against an improving Fiji side before they head back to Europe.

Fiji coach Greg Smith has made just one change from the team that trounced Canada 42-11 last week ­ mobile prop Peniasi Damu coming in for his heftier team-mate Joe Veitayaki.

The coach¹s namesake hooker, Greg Smith, takes over the captaincy role from Emori Katalau.

Against the Canadians, Fiji¹s backline finally swung into action after some mediocre performances in earlier Epson Cup games. Canterbury Crusaders winger Marika Vunibaka charged down the flank for two trademark tries, while the powerful Vili Satala showed his class at centre.

Inside centre Seremaia Bai, still 21, had an outstanding game and looks to have cemented his starting place in the line-up.

Likewise, young fullback Kameli Natoba produced some devastating runs while showing complete maturity in his positional play.

Johnstone¹s task will thus be to break up the backline play of his former team.

"My boys are virtually a development squad," Johnstone confessed. "There were 12 players that I had hoped to come on tour that didn¹t make it for various reasons."

"The boys have learned a lot so far, but realistically, we are looking at the next World Cup."

"We have a useful scrum, and we¹re good at the set phases. When they run the ball, Italians are like the French ­ they¹ve got speed and can move the ball very well, it¹s just where we aren¹t strong as reading the game, making decisions."

Johnstone also spoke of his feelings about returning to Fiji, whose national team he coached for nearly five years.

"It feels like coming home ­ I worked very hard to get this tour because I knew how much our boys would appreciate the hospitality and the friendliness of this country."

"Obviously Rome is a big change from Suva. For instance, we live on a road that has nine lanes of traffic ­ it¹s certainly a lot different. But we have settled in well."

"However, I do miss Fiji. I miss the smiles and the laughter. I miss the pace of life here, as well as the raw enthusiasm for the game of rugby. I don¹t think there¹s anywhere in the world that has the same raw passion."

"I have to admit that it feels very strange being on the other side of the fence. But I¹ve got a job to do for Italy."

The former All Black prop added that he hoped Italy¹s appearance in Fiji when other nations were turning their backs because of the political crisis would have a positive affect.

"I know that the country has been through a difficult period lately, and the rugby community has suffered too," he said. "I hope that somehow this tour marks the beginning of normal life again in Fiji."

Fiji (1-15): Henry Qiodravu, Greg Smith (captain), Peniasi Damu, Emori
Katalau, Simon Raiwalui, Jope Tuikabe, Koli Sewabu, Inoke Male, Jacob
Rauluni, Nicky Little, Vilimoni Delasau, Seremaia Bai, Vili Satala, Marika
Vunibaka, Kameli Natoba,
Reserves (16-22): Isaia Rasila, Joe Veitayaki, Alifereti Doviverata, Sailosi
Naiteqe, Moses Rauluni, Jolame Nadolo, Norman Ligairi.

Italy (1-15): Andrea Lo Cicero, Alessandro Moscardi, Giampiero De Carli,
Carlo Checchinato, Andrea Gritti, David Dal Maso, Aaron Persico, Carlo
Caione, Juan Manuel Queirolo, Ramiro Pez, Luca Martin, Giacomo Preo,
Giovanni Raineri, Nicola Mazzucato, Cristian Stoica (captain).
Reserves: Salvatore Perugini, Andrea Castellani, Simone Stocco, Maurizio
Zaffiri, Francesco Mazzariol, Manual Dallan, Lisandro Villarga.

Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Kick-off: 3pm