Rugby-Italy coach Mallett given vote of confidence

ROME, April 3 (Reuters) - Nick Mallett was given a vote of confidence to continue as Italy coach on Friday despite a winless 2009 Six Nations campaign.

Mallett, whose team were whitewashed in the tournament for first time since 2005, was also given the freedom to revamp his backroom staff.

"The board has given head coach Nick Mallett the mandate to operate in total autonomy in the choice of members of the coaching team," the Italian rugby federation (FIR) board said in a statement on its website (www.federugby.it) after the opening of a two-day meeting.

Mallett must now decide whether to replace assistant coaches Carlo Orlandi (forwards), Jean-Philippe Cariat (backs), Alex Marco (fitness) and Alessandro Troncon, the Azzurri's former scrumhalf and all-time most capped player.

The federation confirmed that Italy will play New Zealand at Milan's San Siro stadium, the home of football teams AC Milan and Inter Milan, in a test on Nov. 14.

Italy will then face World champions South Africa on Nov. 21 at a venue still to be confirmed.