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Two changes as Italy name team to play England in the Six Nations
By Liam Heagney
Kieran Crowley has named an Italy team to play England this Sunday in the Guinness Six Nations that shows two changes from the XV that gave defending champions France a scare last weekend. The Italians ultimately lost that round one match in Rome 24-29 and their head coach has reacted by making two alterations, one in the backs and another to his pack.
On the wing, Edoardo Padovani, a used replacement last Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico, will now start in the No14 jersey with Pierre Bruno dropping to the bench. In the pack, Marco Riccioni, who plays his club rugby for Saracens, has been included at tighthead.
That decision means Simone Ferrari drops to the bench with Pietro Ceccarelli omitted from the match day 23. The other Italy change on a Six Nations bench containing six forwards and two backs is the inclusion of the Gloucester-based Jake Polledri at the expense of Giovanni Pettinelli.
Polledri hasn't been capped since suffering a horrendous knee injury when playing for the Italians in the 2020 Autumn Nations Series.
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Latest Comments
A Kiwi. I'm not one to blame a nations fans for 1 troll. Misty kiwis is actually great people I get along with great. Every town has its drunk and town idiot. I'll let you decide which one you are
Go to commentsIt's because in over 100 years of rugby, the NH has never been the top echelon of rugby. That stayed with the SH. They may have had some blips, but that's it. The ingrained jealousy and hatred is strong.
Always coming off 2nd best is a hard pill to swallow. Just as they think they finally took over, that the NH is the Kings of rugby, they found out the hard way that it was all just day dreaming.
9/10 WC trophies for the SH vs 1/10 for the SH. What makes it worse is that they SHOULD be on top considering how close and how many countries in Europe plays rugby. It's just across the road for them compared to the SH that have to travel very far to play against each other, nevermind the NH.
The logistics counts against the teams, which means teams have to leave earlier and stay longer in another country to acclimate. That means the cost for the Rugby Unions go up compared to the NH. Yet, they can't crack the SH. No matter how hard they try.
I'm not surprised they are so hateful and jealous towards the SH.
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