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Italy name team to face Wales
By Online Editors
Interim Italy boss Franco Smith has included one new cap in his team to face Wales in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday.
Taking over from Conor O’Shea, who failed to net the Italians a single victory during his three Six Nations campaigns in charge, Smith has opted to give 21-year-old Niccolo Cannone his debut while also rejigging the backline where Leonardo Sarto appears for the first time in over two years and Carlo Canna is positioned at inside centre.
Wasps’ Matteo Minozzi and Mattia Bellini will join Sarto in the back three, with Canna teaming up with Luca Morisi in midfield alongside a half-back partnership of Tommaso Allan and Gloucester’s Callum Braley.
No8 Abraham Steyn will be supported by Sebastian Negri and Jake Polledri, another Gloucester inclusion. Veteran Alessandro Zanni will support rookie Cannone - who has featured in the local Italian league with Petrarca this season along with PRO14’s Benetton - at lock while the front row comprises of Zebre trio Andrea Lovotti, skipper Luca Bioji and Giosue Zilocchi.
“We have worked a lot these days on and off the pitch in full synergy with all the staff and players,” said Smith. “We know our potential and what we can give. I have faith in the team and I’m looking forward to seeing them on the pitch against Wales."
ITALY (vs Wales, Saturday)
15. Matteo MINOZZI (Wasps, 16 caps)
14. Leonardo SARTO (Benetton, 34 caps)
13. Luca MORISI (Benetton, 29 caps)
12. Carlo CANNA (Zebre, 39 caps)
11. Mattia BELLINI (Zebre, 22 caps)
10. Tommaso ALLAN (Benetton, 54 caps)
9. Callum BRALEY (Gloucester, 5 caps)
8. Abraham STEYN (Benetton, 36 caps)
7. Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton, 22 caps)
6. Jake POLLEDRI (Gloucester, 13 caps)
5. Niccolo CANNONE (Petrarca/Benetton, uncapped)
4. Alessandro ZANNI (Benetton, 117 caps)
3. Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Zebre, 2 caps)
2. Luca BIGI (Zebre, 24 caps) - capt
1. Andrea LOVOTTI (Zebre, 40 caps)
Replacements:
16. Federico ZANI (Benetton. 13 caps)
17. Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre, uncapped)
18. Marco RICCIONI (Benetton, 7 caps)
19. Dean BUDD (Benetton, 26 caps)
20. Marco LAZZARONI (Benetton, 4 caps)
21. Giovanni LICATA (Zebre, 8 caps)
22. Guglielmo PALAZZANI (Zebre, 36 caps)
23. Jayden HAYWARD (Benetton, 23 caps)
WATCH: The Rugby Pod sets the scene ahead of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and reflects on yet more Saracens fallout
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Latest Comments
Agreed. A very good comparison. On the day they can beat anyone.
You can never be sure which team is pitching up until the whistle blows.
I think Contemponi is a fabulous coach.
Go to commentsUmm - really?
He goes on to say that they just need to deal with the Bok scrums, lineouts and territorial game. Those are not one or two little things ...
Besides, I suspect Tony Brown would like to see his new attacking philosophy clicking against Wales. That involves a lot more than set pieces and kicking. And Gatland might want to be ready for it.
For me the big question is whether the Boks retain their shape and intensity, regardless of the scoreline. If they do that then it could be a cricket score.
But there have been times this year when we have seen them get into a kind of error strewn, shelter shelter, hot potato mode on attack. Hope we don't see that, because it is silly and ineffective. Also boring.
I would love to see the new Bok plan in full flight. But, sadly, my expectation is that we will be another England-like post-game interview, with Rassie "taking the win" but declaring that they did not play the way they intended to.
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