Odogwu to debut as Italy name strong side to face Ireland

Coach Kieran Crowley has officially announced the line-up for the Italian men's rugby team ahead of their showdown with Ireland on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

This match will mark the 36th encounter between the two teams, with both sides gearing up for the Rugby World Cup 2023. Paolo Odogwu and Dino Lamb will debut in the Azzurri shirt as new rookies in the starting line-up.

Experienced players Monty Ioane and Tomasso Allan return, while Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney team-up at halfback. The back row features Toa Halafihi, Manuel Zuliani and Sebastian Negri, while Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello form a tried and tested pairing in the centres. Federico Ruzza returns as captain in the second line alongside rookie Lamb. Giacomo Riccioni, Marco Nicotera, and Danielo Fischetti complete the front row.

The eagerly-awaited encounter will be officiated by French referee Raynal. Coach Kieran Crowley said: "“The match against Ireland will be a new, important test in preparation for the World Cup. Other players will have the chance to play a top-level international Test Match facing the world's first-ranked team. The focus will be on our performance"

Team Line-Ups:

15 Tommaso Allan (Perpignan, 72 caps)

14 Paolo Odogwu (Benetton Rugby, esordiente)

13 Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps)

12 Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)

11 Montanna Ioane (Lione, 18 caps)

10 Paolo Garbisi (Montpellier, 24 caps)

9 Stephen Varney (Gloucester Rugby, 19 caps)

8 Toa Halafihi (Benetton Rugby, 10 caps)

7 Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)

6 Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby, 46 caps)

5 Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 42 caps) – Capitano

4 Dino Lamb (Harlequins, esordiente)

3 Marco Riccioni (Saracens, 21 caps)

2 Giacomo Nicotera (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)

1 Danilo Fischetti (Zebre Parma, 31 caps)

Replacements:

16 Luca Bigi (Zebre Parma, 46 caps)

17 Paolo Buonfiglio (Zebre Parma, esordiente)

18 Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 44 caps)

19 Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)

20 Michele Lamaro (Benetton Rugby, 26 caps)

21 Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 9 caps)

22 Alessandro Fusco (Zebre Parma, 13 caps)

23 Lorenzo Pani (Zebre Parma, 1 cap)