Quesada announces Italy squad and explains Ange Capuozzo's absence

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has named his 33-man squad for this July’s Nations Championship, with three uncapped players included and Ange Capuozzo notably absent.

Benetton back-row Giulio Marini, Zebre lock Alessandro Ortombina and Zebre centre Malik Faissal have all received their first senior call-ups, while prop Ion Neculai returns to the Azzurri set-up for the first time since 2022.

Italy open their campaign against Japan in Tokyo on July 4 before daunting clashes with New Zealand in Wellington and Australia in Perth as part of the inaugural Nations Championship.

Quesada explained that Toulouse star Capuozzo and Stade Francais hooker Giacomo Nicotera were unavailable for selection because they both remain involved in the closing stages of the Top 14 and would miss the entirety of Italy’s preparation camp. The four players involved in the Gallagher PREM final – Danilo Fischetti, Ross Vintcent, Stephen Varney and Andrea Zambonin – will join the squad after Saturday’s contest.

Experienced internationals Simone Ferrari, Sebastian Negri, Martin Page-Relo, Giosuè Zilocchi and Manuel Zuliani are all part of Italy’s injury list, as is Northampton Saints wing Edoardo Todaro, who earned his first cap last year.

Fixture

Nations Championship

Japan

01:40

4 Jul 26

Italy

All Stats and Data

“The start of the Nations Championship marks the dawn of a new era for rugby,” Quesada said. “This is an innovative competition that will offer additional excitement to both professionals and fans, with points up for grabs in the final rankings.

“Almost all the teams we’ll face between July and November are ahead of us in the World Rankings: it’s a very exciting challenge.

“The key will be to maximise the time available for preparation and training conditions, especially during the July international window, which is characterised by several demanding journeys.

“The two training camps held in Parma and Treviso allowed the athletes playing in Italy to regain their rhythm and consistency in their training.

“For this reason, at this stage, we have not considered Ange Capuozzo and Giacomo Nicotera, who will be busy with their respective teams in the final stages of the Top 14 and will miss the entire preparation in Italy.

“Most of the players have not played a match in several weeks, but I am very confident. I know the quality of work this staff is capable of delivering and I know the energy, dedication and commitment this group brings on the pitch.”

Italy squad

Forwards: Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton, 38 caps), Niccolò Cannone (Benetton, 63), Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma, 10), Pablo Dimcheff (Colomiers, 4), Riccardo Favretto (Benetton, 13), Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints, 63), Muhamed Hasa (Zebre Parma, 8), Michele Lamaro (Benetton, 54), Gianmarco Lucchesi (Toulon, 33), Giulio Marini (Benetton, uncapped), Ion Neculai (Zebre Parma, 3), David Odiase (Zebre Parma, 6), Alessandro Ortombina (Zebre Parma, uncapped), Marco Riccioni (Saracens, 36), Federico Ruzza (Benetton, 72), Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton, 24), Ross Vintcent (Exeter Chiefs, 19), Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs, 18).

Backs: Tommaso Allan (Perpignan, 89 caps), Giulio Bertaccini (Zebre Parma, 4), Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon, 52), Giacomo Da Re (Zebre Parma, 6), Malik Faissal (Zebre Parma, uncapped), Alessandro Fusco (Zebre Parma, 25), Alessandro Garbisi (Benetton, 23), Paolo Garbisi (Toulon, 54), Monty Ioane (Lyon, 47), Louis Lynagh (Benetton, 14), Leonardo Marin (Benetton, 22), Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton, 39), Paolo Odogwu (Benetton, 9), Lorenzo Pani (Zebre Parma, 12), Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs, 37).

Invited players: Destiny Aminu (Benetton), Samuele Locatelli (Zebre Parma), Ivan Nemer (Benetton, 16 caps).