Rugby-Italy and Burton have secret plan to beat Ireland

ROME Feb 4 (Reuters) - Italy have devised a special plan to beat Ireland in their Six Nations opener on Saturday (1430 GMT) with surprise new flyhalf Kristopher Burton set to be at the centre of the secret mission.

"We have studied their matches and we have decided upon a particular game plan," captain Sergio Parisse, whose modest side want to avoid another wooden spoon, told reporters on Friday.

"This team have never come off a field without having given everything, I am certain and proud of this. But this time grit and heart are not enough, we need intelligence."

Ireland, the 2009 grand slam champions, come into the Stadio Flaminio clash as only third favourites this year and Italy coach Nick Mallett wants his side to go for the jugular with September's World Cup just months away.

"We want to show we have improved...but above all we want to win," Mallett said, explaining why he has picked Australia-born Burton for his fifth cap after Craig Gower was ruled out of the tournament.

"Burton's strength is playing with the ball in hand and with his feet, he has some problems with tackles but we have worked to plug this gap. Tomorrow he will have great responsibility because Ireland often attack that channel."

Luciano Orquera, who looked decent in the November tests and can count himself unlucky, makes way for Burton and takes his place on the bench while young scrumhalf Edoardo Gori will continue in the side with Pablo Canavosio backing up.

"It's been three difficult years with regards to choosing halfbacks, now we have four who have experience and play in competitive championships," Mallett added.

"(Former number 10) Andrea Marcato cannot play at international level. He's had chances but a national coach can't be bothering himself with improving a player, a coach must choose players who have experience at the highest level."

(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)