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Italy opt for experience ahead of Sakura Fifteen WXV opener
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Plinio Sciamanna has leant heavily on experience for his first game as head coach of Italy.
The 39-year-old will lead the Azzurre in their WXV Global Series opener against Japan on Saturday at Stadio Omero Tognon.
Vittoria Minuzzi captains the team from full-back, while Silvia Turani, Sofia Stefen, Francesca Sgorbini and Giordana Duca are all named.
Emma Stevanin will lead the team from fly-half, while new Gloucester Hartpury hooker Vittoria Vecchini joins the front-row alongside Turani and Vittoria Zanette.
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After the play Japan, Italy will host the Springbok Women and then travel to the USA for two Test matches against the Women’s Eagles.
Coincidentally it is also Toshizumi Kitagawa’s first game as head coach of Japan. Earlier this year the 45-year-old led the Sakura Fifteen to Asia Rugby Women’s Championship success as interim, but was recently confirmed as Lesley McKenzie’s successor.
His squad includes the talents of Moe Tsukui at scrum-half, while Jennifer Nduka’s increased role in the back-row is set to continue this weekend after a bright showing at the 2026 Asia Rugby Women’s Championship.
The Sakura Fifteen will play Ireland next week, before taking on Scott Bemand’s team in a Test outside of the WXV Global Series window at the start of October. Upon their return home, Kitagawa’s team will play back-to-back matches against Wales.
Saturday will see the two nations play one another for just the eighth time. To date, Italy have won six of their previous meetings, while Japan’s sole victory came in the form of a 25-24 win in 2023.
Italy: Vittoria Minuzzi (capt), Aura Muzzo, Alyssa D’Incà, Sara Mannini, Francesca Granzotto, Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Vittoria Zanette; Alessandra Frangipani, Giordana Duca, Margherita Tonellotto, Alissa Ranuccini, Francesca Sgorbini
Replacements: Chiara Cheli, Laura Foscato, Alessia Pilani, Giulia Cavina, Beatrice Veronese, Alia Bitonci, Beatrice Rigoni, Natascia Aggio
Japan: Maiko Nishi; Sora Nishimura, Haruka Hirotsu, Mana Furuta, Komachi Imakugi; Sawa Harada, Moe Tsukui; Hinata Komaki, Asuka Kuge, Wako Kitano; Masami Kawamura, Yuna Sato, Nami Asari, Sakurako Korai, Jennifer Nduka
Replacements: Moe Nagaoka, Nami Yoshida, Juka Fuji, Otoka Yoshimura, Mele Yua Havili Kagawa, Anan Seo, Kanna Hayashi, Uta Kataoka
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