SA-born loose forward Ross Vintcent will run out against England at Twickenham as Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada makes six starting XV changes for Sunday’s Six Nations clash.
After losing 31-19 to Scotland in their opener, Italy rebounded to beat Wales 22-15 in Cardiff, but suffered a humiliating 73-24 rout at the hands of France last time out.
Quesada has rung the changes for the fourth and penultimate round of action, with Ange Capuozzo named at fullback to allow the return from injury of Monty Ioane on the right wing.
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Matt Gallagher, son of former All Black John, makes his Six Nations debut on the other wing.
Wales-born Stephen Varney comes in to partner Paolo Garbisi at scrumhalf, with Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello again combining in midfield.
Vintcent replaces Lorenzo Cannone, who drops to the bench, at the back of the scrum and is flanked by captain Michele Lamaro and Sebastian Negri.
The second row is unchanged in the shape of Federico Ruzza and Niccolo Cannone. Tighthead prop Marco Riccioni and hooker Giacomo Nicotera replace Simone Ferrari and Gianmarco Lucchesi, who are both named among the replacements.
ITALY – 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Monty Ioane, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Matt Gallagher, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Bench: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi ,17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Lorenzo Cannone, 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.
Six Nations round 4 fixtures:
Saturday
Ireland vs France, Dublin, 4.15pm
Scotland vs Wales, Edinburgh, 6.45pm
Sunday
England vs Italy, London, 5pm
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
The post Saffa starts at 8 for rejigged Italy appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
SA-born loose forward Ross Vintcent will run out against England at Twickenham as Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada makes six starting XV changes for Sunday’s Six Nations clash.
The post Saffa starts at 8 for rejigged Italy appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
