Pembrokeshire-born Stephen Varney returns to Italy side to face Wales
Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney will return to the Italy team for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Wales in Rome.
Varney missed Italy’s match with Ireland last month after suffering an injury during the warm-up.
Varney, who was born in Wales but qualifies for Italy through his mother, now returns as one of five changes.
He resumes his half-back partnership with Paolo Garbisi, while wing Mattia Bellini replaces an injured Luca Sperandio.
Elsewhere, switches in the pack see starts for props Danilo Fischetti and Giosue Zilocchi, in addition to lock Niccolo Cannone.
Italy host Wales after suffering comprehensive Six Nations defeats this season against France, England and Ireland, while their last victory in the tournament came six years ago when they toppled Scotland at Murrayfield.
Italy team: J Trulla (Calvisano); M Bellini (Zebre), J-I Brex (Benetton), C Canna (Zebre), M Ioane (Benetton); P Garbisi (Benetton), S Varney (Gloucester); D Fischetti (Zebre), L Bigi (Zebre, capt), G Zilocchi (Zebre), N Cannone (Benetton), D Sisi (Zebre), S Negri (Benetton), J Meyer (Zebre), M Lamaro (Benetton).
Replacements: O Fabiani (Zebre), A Lovotti (Zebre), M Riccioni (Benetton), M Lazzaroni (Benetton), M Mbanda (Zebre), M Violi (Zebre), F Mori (Calvisano), E Padovani (Benetton).
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Maybe if real rugby fans were able to get tickets then that might not be the case! Its filled with institutions, companies, sponsors etc. Who have no interest in being there. Would love to experience being at Twickenham if there was an opportunity to be able to get tickets at an affordable and not hiked up price! Shame
Go to commentsWading in with a firm Dunno.
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