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Six NationsItalyWales

O'Shea makes two changes to Italy team to face Wales

By Online Editors
Italy lost for the 18th time in a row in the Six Nations last weekend

Conor O’Shea has made two changes as struggling Italy look to end an 18-match losing streak in the Six Nations.

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The Italians opened their latest campaign with a 33-20 defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend and O’Shea, still searching for his first win in this third championship in charge, has made some alterations as they prepare to host Wales on Saturday in Rome.

Edoardo Padovani, a try-scoring replacement at Murrayfield, comes into the backline and Nicola Quaglio into the front row. Padovani’s inclusion on the right wing sees Michele Campagnaro shifted into the centre, with Tommaso Castello dropping out of the match day 23. Quaglio, meanwhile, gets his chance at loosehead prop as Andrea Lovotti has the flu.

Italy fell 33-3 behind Scotland before generating a late three-try rally which convinced O’Shea not to make wholesale changes to his team.

It means Quaglio joins Simone Ferrari and Leonardo Ghiraldini in the front row while Dean Budd and David Sisi remain in the second row. Sergio Parisse will captain again from No8 with Abraham Steyn and Sebastian Negri either side.

Another opening round try-scorer, Guglielmo Palazzani, keeps his spot at scrum-half, Tommaso Allan remains at out-half, Campagnaro and Luca Morisi make up the midfield, with the promoted Padovani joining Jayden Hayward and Angelo Esposito in the back three.

Continue reading below…

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In the replacements, Edoardo Gori comes onto the bench as scrum-half cover while Marco Barbini is another new sub for the front row.

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The Azzurri are facing a much-changed Wales team. Their coach, Warren Gatland, opted to make 10 alterations to the side came from 16 points down to beat France in their opening match in Paris.

ITALY (v Wales, Saturday)

15 Jayden HAYWARD (Benetton Rugby, 13caps)
14 Edoardo PADOVANI (Zebre Rugby Club, 16caps)
13 Michele CAMPAGNARO (Wasps, 39 caps)
12 Luca MORISI (Benetton Rugby, 21 caps)
11 EXPOSED Angel (Benetton Rugby, 16caps)
10 Tommaso ALLAN (Benetton Rugby, 44 caps)
9 Guglielmo PALAZZANI (Zebras Rugby Club, 29 caps)
8 Sergio PARISSE (Stade Francais, 135caps) – captain
7 Abraham Jurgens STEYN (Benetton Rugby, 26caps)
6 Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 13 caps)
5 Dean BUDD (Benetton Rugby, 17 caps)
4 David SISI (Zebre Rugby Club, 1 cap)
3 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 18caps)
2 Leonardo GHIRALDINI (Stade Toulousian, 100 caps)
1 Nicola QUAGLIO (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)

REPLACEMENTS:

16 Luca BIGI (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
17 Cherif TRAORE ‘(Benetton Rugby, 6caps)
18 Tiziano PASQUALI (Benetton Rugby, 14caps)
19 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)
20 Marco BARBINI (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
21 Edoardo GORI (Benetton Rugby, 68 caps)
22 Ian MCKINLEY (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)
23 Tommaso BENVENUTI (Benetton Rugby, 56caps)

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RW 9 hours ago
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Improve the the chat, block Turlough

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DP 9 hours ago
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Rob 10 hours ago
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Bull Shark 11 hours ago
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DG 13 hours ago
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Turlough 13 hours ago
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WR 14 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

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WR 14 hours ago
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Well, on X they claim they beat SA by 2-1 and won the series against SA. Nevermind that it's 2 different competitions with completely different players, and a completely different country. AGAIN, they think that talking about it and claiming it, that they are the winners. That they DESERVE IT. Yet, as per usual, they CHOKED AGAIN in the quarterfinals. The Boks had 2 good games. That's it. The French is a different story altogether. They know how to reach a final. 2 games to go for either Gold or Bronze. Good news that, but coming in 4th don't get medals, so the Boks have to get in the final to be assured of a medal. It won't be easy. Only teams that CAN play is still in the competition, not teams that thinks talking themselves into a medal will get them a medal. Fiji is now the favorites would be my guess, but anyone can take it from here. Good luck Boks!! As usual you have my full support💯

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Mzilikazi 14 hours ago
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Bull Shark 14 hours ago
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WR 14 hours ago
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My comment disappeared

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