KEY Italian pair Mirco Bergamasco and Marco Bortolami have been ruled out of the Italian team to face Wales in Saturday's vital World Cup group match which will decide which team reaches the quarter-finals along with favourites New Zealand.

Italy lost four players to injury in yesterday's costly victory over Canada and a sombre Italian team doctor today ruled wing Bergamasco and lock Bortolami out.

Bergamasco has a fractured cheekbone and Bortolami has dislocated a shoulder.

Also injured were top scrum half Alessandro Troncon and replacement centre Andrea Masi with collar bone and back plus hip injuries.

It is hoped both will be fit, though it is by no means certain.

'We haven't been able to prepare with any training under our belts,' said coach Jon Kirwan, adding 'If we play the game of our lives there will not be much in it, but we need to show courage and commitment.'

Kirwan chose to be sarcastic about the International Board schedule which forces them to play four games in 14 days and now suffer injuries.

'It's fantastic, I can't thank them enough for the draw and for the opportunity to be here,' he said. 'Our wives weren't even allowed into the after-match function last night.

'Seriously, we can't afford to complain because we're a minor union and we can't afford to pay the fine.

'Everyone understands our situation, but this is our lot, we have to go out there and leave our hearts and our football on the paddock.

'It would be the greatest thing for world rugby if Italy does go to the top eight, but if we play well enough and don't win because of fatigue it will be an incredible injustice.'

Kirwan has to try to name a team tomorrow because International Board rules say a side must be announced 48 hours before a game.

'We've just got to go out there, we're under no pressure, we're the underdogs. We're fatigued, but we'll be courageous and we'll give it everything,' he said.

* Ireland recall David Humphreys at fly-half against Argentina in Adelaide on Sunday.

Ireland: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, K Maggs, D Hickie; D Humphreys, P Stringer; R Corrigan, K Wood, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, P O'Connell, S Easterby, A Quinlan, V Costello. Replacements: S Byrne, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, E Miller, G Easterby, R O'Gara, J Kelly.

* Scotland flanker Martin Leslie has been banned for the remainder of the World Cup after being found guilty of kneeing Jason Keyter in the head during Monday's 39-15 win over the United States in Brisbane.

KEY Italian pair Mirco Bergamasco and Marco Bortolami have been ruled out of the Italian team to face Wales in Saturday's vital World Cup group match which will decide which team reaches the quarter-finals along with favourites New Zealand.

Italy lost four players to injury in yesterday's costly victory over Canada and a sombre Italian team doctor today ruled wing Bergamasco and lock Bortolami out.

Bergamasco has a fractured cheekbone and Bortolami has dislocated a shoulder.

Also injured were top scrum half Alessandro Troncon and replacement centre Andrea Masi with collar bone and back plus hip injuries.

It is hoped both will be fit, though it is by no means certain.

'We haven't been able to prepare with any training under our belts,' said coach Jon Kirwan, adding 'If we play the game of our lives there will not be much in it, but we need to show courage and commitment.'

Kirwan chose to be sarcastic about the International Board schedule which forces them to play four games in 14 days and now suffer injuries.

'It's fantastic, I can't thank them enough for the draw and for the opportunity to be here,' he said. 'Our wives weren't even allowed into the after-match function last night.

'Seriously, we can't afford to complain because we're a minor union and we can't afford to pay the fine.

'Everyone understands our situation, but this is our lot, we have to go out there and leave our hearts and our football on the paddock.

'It would be the greatest thing for world rugby if Italy does go to the top eight, but if we play well enough and don't win because of fatigue it will be an incredible injustice.'

Kirwan has to try to name a team tomorrow because International Board rules say a side must be announced 48 hours before a game.

'We've just got to go out there, we're under no pressure, we're the underdogs. We're fatigued, but we'll be courageous and we'll give it everything,' he said.

* Ireland recall David Humphreys at fly-half against Argentina in Adelaide on Sunday.

Ireland: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, K Maggs, D Hickie; D Humphreys, P Stringer; R Corrigan, K Wood, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, P O'Connell, S Easterby, A Quinlan, V Costello. Replacements: S Byrne, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, E Miller, G Easterby, R O'Gara, J Kelly.

* Scotland flanker Martin Leslie has been banned for the remainder of the World Cup after being found guilty of kneeing Jason Keyter in the head during Monday's 39-15 win over the United States in Brisbane.