Italy make key changes for showdown against New Zealand

Italy have named their team for the upcoming Pool A match against New Zealand at OL Stadium in Lyon on Friday, 29 September.

The starting XV sees Dino Lamb, Stephen Varney, and Luca Morisi join the lineup, with Niccolo Cannone moving to the bench, while Alessandro Garbisi and Lorenzo Pani are omitted.

Lamb replaces Niccolo Cannone in the second-row, boasting a try in two of his three career starts.

Varney partners with Paolo Garbisi at scrum-half, marking their sixth appearance together this year.

Luca Morisi returns to the midfield after his 47-minute performance against Namibia, facing the All Blacks for the first time since 2018.

Tommaso Allan takes the full-back position, with Paolo Garbisi at fly-half. Allan aims to become Italy's all-time leading Rugby World Cup point-scorer, needing just five more points.

No player in the squad has ever scored against the All Blacks since Tommaso Boni in 2016.

Paolo Garbisi leads Italy at RWC 2023 in carries (31) and shares the top spot for defenders beaten (7) and try assists (2), underlining his crucial role in the team.

ITALY TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND IN LYON

1 Danilo Fischetti

2 Giacomo Nicotera

3 Marco Riccioni

4 Dino Lamb

5 Federico Ruzza

6 Sebastian Negri

7 Michele Lamaro (c)

8 Lorenzo Cannone

9 Stephen Varney

10 Paolo Garbisi

11 Montanna Ioane

12 Luca Morisi

13 Juan Ignacio Brex

14 Ange Capuozzo

15 Tommaso Allan

Replacements:

16 Hame Faiva

17 Ivan Nemer

18 Simone Ferrari

19 Niccolo Cannone

20 Manuel Zuliani

21 Toa Halafihi

22 Martin Page-Relo

23 Paolo Odogwu