Italy make four changes ahead of Women's Six Nations finale in Cardiff

Italy head coach Fabio Roselli has made four changes to his starting team for their Guinness Women’s Six Nations ‘Super Sunday’ trip to Cardiff.

Three of these changes come in the pack, including the return of Francesca Sgorbini to the starting team. The 25-year-old scored a brace for Italy in her cameo from the replacements against England’s Red Roses in Round 4.

Giordana Duca has returned to the starting XV. She will partner Valeria Fedrighi, who will retire at full-time of Sunday’s fixture at Cardiff Arms Park. In the front-row Gaia Maris replaces Vittoria Zanette at tighthead prop.

The final change sees Exeter Chiefs wing Francesca Granzotto take a place on the wing ahead of Aura Muzzo. It will be just the 24-year-old’s second start of this Women’s Six Nations. So far this season Granzotto has scored two tries in Premiership Women’s Rugby.

Italy come up against a Wales team intent on avoiding a third successive Women’s Six Nations wooden spoon in a row.

“Wales is a nation that is very proud of its rugby, and they show it every time they play on and off the pitch,” veteran Italy scrum-half Sofia Stefan told RugbyPass this week.

“They are definitely a team that is hard to play in Cardiff, both physically and mentally, and they put lots of pressure on you everywhere. You feel the hits and the physical side in the rucks, and the fans are right behind them.

“You really feel their love of rugby, and it isn’t an easy match. Wales are being reborn after a few tricky years, and they will want to show what they are capable of.”

Italy match day squad v Italy

15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
14. Francesca Granzotto
13. Michela Sillari
12. Sara Mannini
11. Alyssa D’Incà
10. Veronica Madia
9. Sofia Stefan
8. Elisa Giordano (C)
7. Alissa Ranuccini
6. Francesca Sgorbini
5. Giordana Duca
4. Valeria Fedrighi
3. Gaia Maris
2. Vittoria Vecchini
1. Silvia Turani

Replacements

16. Chiara Cheli
17. Vittoria Zanette
18. Gaia Dosi
19. Alessandra Frangipani
20. Beatrice Veronese
21. Alia Bitonci
22. Emma Stevanin
23. Aura Muzzo