Two changes as Italy name team to play England in the Six Nations

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.

Facing Goliath | A story following Italy as they take on the mighty All Blacks | A Rugby Originals Documentary

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Facing Goliath | A story following Italy as they take on the mighty All Blacks | A Rugby Originals Documentary

Polledri hasn’t been capped since suffering a horrendous knee injury when playing for the Italians in the 2020 Autumn Nations Series.

https://twitter.com/Federugby/status/1624042123187089409