Born: 08.06.82
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 199lbs
Position: Centre
Club: Padova
Caps: 8
Points: 5

Burst to the world's attention when he was thrown in at the deep end - and floated - against New Zealand in 2002.

At the age of 21, Barbini is one of the new breed of youngsters John Kirwan hopes will reinvigorate Italian rugby.

A talented centre who should get better and better as he gains more experience, he earned a Six Nations call-up to face France in 2004 as a replacement for the injured Manuel Dallan.