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Italy alter four of their XV for the round two game away to Ireland
By Liam Heagney
Italy have reacted to their plucky loss to England by naming a team showing just four changes to take on Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.
The Italians had led the English 17-14 at half-time before losing 24-27 in Rome and their new boss Gonzalo Quesada has now announced a line-up with two alterations in the backs and two more in the pack for their Guinness Six Nations round two outing.
Ange Capuozzo, who was unavailable last week, will start at full-back with Tommaso Allan dropping to the bench and Stephen Varney, last weekend’s replacement scrum-half, takes over from the absent Alessandro Garbisi with Martin Page-Relo named as a sub.
Up front, Alessandro Izekor, another sub versus England, is the starting blindside with Sebastian Negri injured, while Manual Zuliani is also promoted to start at openside in place of Lorenzo Cannone, last week’s No8. Skipper Michele Lamaro switches from seven to eight to accommodate his Zuliani's selecti0n.
Uncapped Exeter forward Ross Vintcent is named on the bench where there is a five/three forwards/backs split compared to the six/two named in round one.
Ireland, meanwhile, have made six changes from their XV that comfortably picked off France in round one.
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Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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