New Saints signing one of two Italy debutants for Japan clash

Italy have handed senior debuts to Alessandro Ortombina and Malik Faissal for Saturday’s Nations Championship opener against Japan in Tokyo, as Gonzalo Quesada names an experienced side to begin the new international competition.

The Azzurri kick off their campaign at Chichibunomiya Stadium looking to extend their strong recent record against Eddie Jones’ side. Italy have won eight of the previous 10 meetings between the nations, including their most recent clash in Sapporo in 2024.

Back-row Ortombina earns his first cap after impressing with Zebre, while new Northampton Saints signing Faissal is rewarded following a breakthrough season that saw him rise through Italy’s U20 ranks into the senior squad.

Elsewhere, the established midfield pairing of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello continues, with Brex set to make his 40th appearance alongside the reigning World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. Michele Lamaro captains the side from openside flanker.

Quesada has also welcomed Ross Vintcent back to the matchday 23 after injury ruled the Exeter Chiefs forward out of the Six Nations, while Tommaso Allan could reach the milestone of 90 Italy caps if called upon from the bench.

Fixture

Nations Championship

Japan

27 - 10

Full-time

Italy

All Stats and Data

Italy XV: 15 Lorenzo Pani; 14 Malik Faissal; 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane; 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Alessandro Ortombina, 7 Michele Lamaro (capt), 8 Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Alessandro Fusco, 22 Leonardo Marin, 23 Tommaso Allan