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2018 breakthrough star Mattteo Minozzi returns for Italy's warm-up fixtures

Italy international Matteo Minozzi has signed for Wasps

Three uncapped players have been included in Italy’s squad for their warm-up matches against Ireland and Russia, alongside 2018’s breakout star Matteo Minozzi.

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Benetton front-rowers Marco Riccioni and Engjel Makelara could be set to make their debuts in the coming weeks, as well as Gloucester scrumhalf Callum Braley.

Hooker Makelara sneaks into the squad due to to centurion Leonardo Ghiraldini, who ruptured his knee ligaments in March but hasn’t been ruled out of taking part in the World Cup.

Braley, who made 11 appearances for the cherry-and-whites this season, qualifies through his Italian grandfather. The former England age-grade representative was called into the Italian squad at the end of last year but never got the chance to take the field.

Outside back Matteo Minozzi makes his return to the side after sitting out almost a whole season after he ruptured his ACL playing for Zebre part way through last year. Minozzi lit up the Six Nations in 2018 and was nominated for player of the tournament after scoring four tries in five matches.

“My objective was to be back for this but I had no idea if I would make it,” said Minozzi in June.

“It was a really hard journey, and it’s new for me.

“I’d got to the level I achieved up to then thanks to my talent but I’d never had to work as hard, to take as much care of myself.”

Minozzi now represents the Wasps but has yet to take the field for the Coventry-based side.

“These matches are crucial for achieving the objectives that we set ourselves for the Rugby World Cup,” Italy coach Conor O’Shea said of the upcoming fixtures.

“It is not an easy task for any player to start the season with a test match, but it is the challenge that all teams are facing. The boys have worked incredibly hard in the summer and now are ready for the matches.”

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Stalwart Sergio Parisse will captain the Azzurri in their matches against Ireland on August 10 and Russia on August 17.

Italy squad:

Forwards

Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 22 caps)

Andrea Lovotti (Zebre Rugby Club, 34 caps)

Tiziano Pasquali (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps)

Nicola Quaglio (Benetton Rugby, 9 caps)

Marco Riccioni (Benetton Rugby, 0 caps)

Federico Zani (Benetton Rugby 7 caps)

Luca Bigi (Zebre Rugby Club, 19 caps)

Oliviero Fabiani (Zebre Rugby Club, 7 caps)

Engjel Makelara (Benetton Rugby, 0 caps)

Dean Budd (Benetton Rugby, 20 caps)

Marco Lazzaroni (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)

Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)

David Sisi (Zebre Rugby Club, 5 caps)

Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Rugby, 111 caps)

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Renato Giammarioli (Zebre Rugby Club, 3 caps)

Giovanni Licata (Zebre Rugby Club, 7 caps)

Maxime Mbanda (Zebre Rugby Club, 16 caps)

Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)

Sergio Parisse (Tolone, 138 caps)

Jake Polledri (Gloucester, 8 caps)

Abraham Steyn (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)

Jimmy Tuivaiti (Zebre Rugby Club, 3 caps)

Backs

Callum Braley (Gloucester, 0 caps)

Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre Rugby Club, 31 caps)

Tito Tebaldi (Benetton Rugby, 32 caps)

Tommaso Allan (Benetton Rugby, 48 caps)

Carlo Canna (Zebre Rugby Club, 32 caps)

Ian McKinley (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)

Tommaso Benvenuti (Benetton Rugby, 56 caps)

Michele Campagnaro (Harlequins, 42 caps)

Luca Morisi (Benetton Rugby, 25 caps)

Marco Zanon (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)

Mattia Bellini (Zebre Rugby Club, 17 caps)

Giulio Bisegni (Zebre Rugby Club, 11 caps)

Angelo Esposito (Benetton Rugby, 20 caps)

Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby, 17 caps)

Matteo Minozzi (Wasps, 10 caps)

Edoardo Padovani (Zebre Rugby Club, 20 caps)

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Comments on RugbyPass

C
Cantab 4 days ago
Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

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James 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

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dw 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

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dw 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

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dw 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.


Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

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RedWarriors 4 days ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

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JM 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

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RedWarriors 4 days ago
'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

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OJohn 4 days ago
Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

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Carlos 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

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C
Carlos 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

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S
Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago
Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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M
Mzilikazi 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

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M
Mzilikazi 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

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M
Mzilikazi 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.


Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

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B
BC 4 days ago
Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

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O
Otagoman II 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

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N
NB 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments
N
NB 4 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments
N
NB 5 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments
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