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Former Australia rugby league international Craig Gower has been included in the Italy coach Nick Mallett's squad for June's tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Gower (pictured playing for the Kangeroos), who switched codes in 2007 to play for French club Bayonne and is eligible for Italy, has been called up for the first time and is likely to contest the fly-half position.

He moved to France after landing in trouble with rugby league chiefs in Australia following a series of alcohol-related incidents.

Full-back Andrea Masi and hooker Carlo Festuccia asked to be left out of the squad in order to be with their families, who suffered because of last month's deadly earthquake in their home city of L'Aquila.

"I talked with both Andrea and Carlo, who would have been in the squad. Of course I understand their reasons, we will be able to count of them for the November tests," Mallett (pictured) said in a statement.

Italy face Australia in Canberra on June 13 and Melbourne on June 20 before playing New Zealand in Christchurch on June 27.

Gilberto Pavan and Simone Favaro, who were called up but did not play in Italy's winless Six Nations campaign, are again in the squad with second rower Quintin Geldenhuys named for the first time.

Six Nations scrum-half Paul Griffen has been left out.

"I think the summer tour that awaits us is one of the most difficult Italy have ever faced," South African Mallett added.

"It will be an important opportunity for the group to grow, especially our younger players."

Italy are bidding to host the 2015 or 2019 World Cup.

Squad:

Backs: Mirco Bergamasco, Gonzalo Canale, Pablo Canavosio, Gonzalo Garcia, Craig Gower, Andrea Marcato, Luke McLean, Gilberto Pavan, Simon Picone, Matteo Pratichetti, Roberto Quartaroli, Kaine Robertson, Giulio Rubini, Giulio Toniolatti

Forwards: Matias Aguero, Mauro Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami, Martin Castrogiovanni, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Simone Favaro, Quintin Geldenhuys, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Jean-Francois Montauriol, Sergio Parisse (captain), Salvatore Perugini, Tommaso Reato, Franco Sbaraglini, Josh Sole, Fabio Staibano, Alessandro Zanni.

Reuters