Centre Michele Campagnaro and flanker Alessandro Zanni could miss Italy's biggest test of the Six Nations away to England after scans revealed the extent of knee injuries suffered in Saturday's 26-3 loss to Ireland.
Campagnaro was forced off in the 63rd minute of Italy's tournament opener and replaced by fly-half Tommaso Allan while Zanni had to be replaced by Roberto Barbieri six minutes after the restart.
Italy team bosses said Sunday Campagnaro had suffered a "left knee sprain with damage to the collateral medial ligament" and will undergo further tests on Monday morning.
Benetton Treviso teammate Zanni suffered "a right knee strain with suspected ligament damage". He will also undergo further tests on Monday.
Leicester Tigers flanker Barbieri, meanwhile, underwent an MRI scan on a right thigh injury but is "improving and will be reassessed by Italy medical staff in midweek", added the team statement.
Second row forward Marco Bortolami also underwent scans, on a right calf injury, and is now expected to return to training with the squad as of Monday.
Italy, who last year finished with the wooden spoon in the tournament, face England at Twickenham next Saturday.
England, considered co-favourites for the title with defending champions Ireland, capped a combative second half display against Wales on Friday to secure a 21-16 win at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Source: AFP