Mauro Bergamasco could be a long-term solution to Italy's scrum-half concerns after the coach, Nick Mallett, switched the flanker in training this week.

The position has been a problem since the Azzurri's most capped player, Alessandro Troncon, now part of Mallett's coaching team, retired after the 2007 World Cup.

The situation is now desperate because Simon Picone and Pietro Travagli are injured and Pablo Canavosio also has a knock, although he should be fit for Italy's Six Nations opening match against England on 7 February.

"Canavosio will recover in time for England and he'll play No9 in the Six Nations but I want to try Mauro in training," Mallett said. "He's working with Troncon and could have a future at half-back for the 2011 World Cup. At the moment there aren't any quality alternatives.

"With the new laws the scrum-half needs physical qualities similar to those of a loose forward. Mauro has experience, charisma, vision, organisational capacity and is excellent at kicks over his shoulder."

Mallett said the 29-year-old Stade Français forward was happy to try the new position.

Last year the coach sprang a surprise when he tried to solve another long-standing problem by using the centre Andrea Masi at fly-half. The experiment had mixed results and it was dropped at the player's request after the Six Nations.