Joe Calzaghe will lead the Wales rugby team out against Italy

The 33-year-old super middleweight from Newbridge destroyed rival champion Jeff Lacy last weekend to add the American's IBF title to his own WBO belt.

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Steve Lewis said:"The Wales team wanted to find some way to pay their tribute.

"They felt it would be appropriate for him to lead them out against Italy."

Calzaghe is a proud Welshman but, like Wales lock Robert Sidoli, can trace his ancestry back to Italy.

The boxer's father and trainer, Enzo, was born in Sardinia before emigrating to Britain to start a new life and family.

Joe is a source of inspiration to fellow professional sportsmen WRU chief Steve Lewis

"I'm sure the Welsh and Italian fans will give him a rousing reception," Lewis added.

"Joe's stunning performance in Manchester last weekend was heralded as one of the greatest of all time by a British boxer and it was one of the finest sporting displays ever by a Welsh athlete.

"We have honoured other great sportsmen and women at the Millennium Stadium before - Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson joined the team after her great performances at the Olympics.

"Joe is a hero to all Welsh sports fans and is a constant source of inspiration to fellow professional sportsmen like the Welsh players."

Calzaghe started his professional boxing career at the old Cardiff Arms Park, knocking out Paul Hanlon in the first round on the undercard of the Lennox Lewis against Frank Bruno bill on 1 October 1993.

So Wales will be hoping that Calzaghe can inspire the rugby team to deliver that knock-out blow against the Azzurri.

Lewis and Millennium Stadium chief executive Paul Sergeant revealed they hope to entice Calzaghe and promoter Frank Warren into staging his next defence at the Millennium Stadium.

Warren has said that Calzaghe's next defence will be in Cardiff - he has also fought at the Cardiff International Arena and in the grounds of Cardiff Castle - on 8 July.