Italy make three changes, name 6/2 bench for All Blacks

After a first-round loss to Japan, Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada made three changes to his starting team to play New Zealand in Wellington.

The Italians scored just 10 points in Tokyo, the fewest of any team in the competition, so have reworked their back three in the hope of scoring some more points in round 2. Louis Lynagh has been named to start on the left wing, with Tommaso Allan at fullback, while Malik Faissal is retained on the right wing.

Ross Vintcent comes in on the blindside flank as the final change to the first XV, joining Michele Lamaro and Lorenzo Cannone in the loose trio. Up front, Danilo Fishetti, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo and Marco Riccioni have been retained, as have Niccolò Cannone and Andrea Zambonin in the second row.

There are no changes in the halves, with Stephen Varney and Paolo Garbisi good to go again, as are Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex in the midfield.

The bench features a 6/2 split with two locks, Federico Ruzza and Riccardo Favretto, joining back-row Giulio Marini as impact options. Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo and Marco Hasa are the front row cover. Alessandro Garbisi has been named as halfback cover, with the versatile Leonardo Marin occupying the final bench spot.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

19 - 50

0 - 54

21 - 38

40 - 21

47 - 17

57 - 10

47 - 17

27 - 10

31 - 17

23 - 18

5

Wins

1

5

Streak

4

35

Tries Scored

10

151

Points Difference

-103

4/5

First Try

2/5

4/5

First Points

3/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

2/5

Italy team to play New Zealand

1. Danilo FISCHETTI (Northampton Saints 64 caps)
2. Tommaso DI BARTOLOMEO (Zebre Parma, 11 caps)
3. Marco RICCIONI (Perpignan, 37 caps)
4. Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 64 caps)
5. Andrea ZAMBONIN (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)
6. Ross VINTCENT (Exeter Chiefs, 20 caps)
7. Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 55 caps) – capitano
8. Lorenzo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 39 caps)
9. Stephen VARNEY (Exeter Chiefs, 38 caps)
10. Paolo GARBISI (Toulon, 55 caps)
11. Louis LYNAGH (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps)
12. Tommaso MENONCELLO (Stade Toulousain, 40 caps)
13. Juan Ignacio BREX (Toulon, 53 caps)
14. Malik FAISSAL (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
15. Tommaso ALLAN (Zebre Parma, 90 caps)

Reserves

16. Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Toulon, 34 caps)
17. Mirco SPAGNOLO (Benetton Rugby, 25 caps)
18. Muhamed HASA (Zebre Parma, 9 caps)
19. Giulio MARINI (Benetton Rugby, esordiente)
20. Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 72 caps)
21. Riccardo FAVRETTO (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps)
22. Alessandro GARBISI (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps)
23.  Leonardo MARIN (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps)