SOUTH Wales Ironmen captain Chris Vitalini admits it would be “a dream come true” to play for Italy at next year’s rugby league World Cup.

Injury denied Newport-born Vitalini the chance of representing his country when the tournament was staged in Wales, England, Ireland and France in 2013.

The 29-year-old, who had made his international debut the previous summer, had to watch from the sidelines as the Italians made a big impression at their first World Cup.

After shocking Wales in Cardiff, the Azzurri drew with Scotland but then missed out on reaching the knockout stages by losing to Tonga.

European qualification for the 2017 competition is down to six nations with three places at the finals, which will take place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, up for grabs.

Italy are in Pool A alongside Wales and Serbia, while Ireland, Russia and Spain make up Pool B – group winners qualify and there is a play-off between the two runners-up for the remaining spot.

Vitalini was included in Italy’s 22-man squad for the double-header against the Serbians, in Belgrade on Saturday, and John Kear’s Wales, in Monza next Saturday.

However, he hasn’t made the cut for the first of those matches, and he will be desperate to be involved in seven days’ time.

“It will be an exciting game against Wales and hopefully I will be involved,” said Vitalini.

“I’ve played with or against the majority of the Wales squad at some point in my career, and there are a few Wales players who have signed for the Ironmen for next year.

“Depending on how we do we could have a third game to play to qualify, but we’re definitely aiming to win both matches against Serbia and Wales.

“I love playing in Wales, but I probably consider myself 51% Italian and 49% Welsh, and it would be a dream come true to play for Italy at a World Cup.”

His debut for Italy could have come a lot earlier in his career but for an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2009.

But with that problem in the past, Vitalini is thoroughly enjoying his rugby at the Merthyr-based Ironmen, previously known as South Wales Scorpions.

And when it comes to playing at international level, it seems there was only ever going to be one country for him.

“Both of my grandparents were born in Italy,” he added. “My grandfather was originally from a village near Milan and my grandmother was from Parma.

“They only met when they both moved to Wales when they were teenagers.

“I was really close to my grandparents and when Italy approached me at a young age I chose to play for them.

“Unfortunately, my grandparents passed away before I had a chance to play for Italy but I know how proud of me they would be.”