Roselli makes pair of changes to Azzurre for Red Roses encounter

Fabio Roselli has made two changes to his Italy team that will take on the Red Roses this weekend in Parma.

The Round 4 clash of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations is the 27th meeting for the Azzurre and England, with the Italians looking to double down on their 41-14 over Scotland before the fallow week.

Both changes come in the pack as Beatrice Veronese and Alessandra Frangipani come into the pack ahead of Francesca Sgorbini and Giordana Duca.

Sgorbini, who was named Round 3’s most valuable player by Six Nations Rugby, and Duca are named among the replacements for the visit of world champions, England.

The backline remains completely unchanged after their dominant showing last time out. Alyssa D’Inca remains on the wing after her brace against the Scots.

Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini and Vittoria Zanetter will all continue their front-row partnership that thrived a fortnight ago.

There is also a potential debut for young front-row Gaia Dosi. Last week the tighthead prop played for Italy U21 against Wales in Piacenza.

Francesca Sgorbini told Six Nations Rugby: “It won’t be easy, and we are all aware of that, but that can’t be an excuse. Personally, I find it motivating. We have the chance to show what we can do against the best team in the world.

“I think we can put them in difficulty, especially with our defence. They are very structured and rely on impact, but if you can break their patterns, they can start to have doubts.

“I think back to the game in York last year [England won 38-5] – in the second half, we contained them very well.”

Italy match day squad v England

15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 47 caps)
14 Aura Muzzo (LOU Rugby, 61 caps)
13 Michela Sillari (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 96 caps)
12 Sara Mannini (Rugby Colorno, 15 caps)
11 Alyssa D’Inca (Blagnac Rugby, 38 caps)
10 Veronica Madia (Blagnac Rugby, 63 caps)
9 Sofia Stefan (RCTPM Toulon, 104 caps)
8 Elisa Giordana (Capitana, Valsugana Rugby Padova, 81 caps)
7 Alissa Ranuccini (LOU Rugby, 21 caps)
6 Beatrice Veronese (RCTPM Toulon, 33 caps)
5 Alessandra Frangipani (Villorba Rugby, 14 caps)
4 Valeria Federighi (Rugby Colorno, 70 caps)
3 Vittoria Zanette (LOU Rugby, 5 caps)
2 Vittoria Vecchini (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 44 caps)
1 Silvia Turani (Harlequins, 50 caps)

Replacements

16 Chiara Cheli (Rugby Colorno, 3 caps)
17 Gaia Maris (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 45 caps)
18 Gaia Dosi (Rugby Colorno, Esordiente)
19 Giordana Duca (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 63 caps)
20 Francesca Sgorbini (ASM Clermont, 40 caps)
21 Alia Bitonci (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 13 caps)
22 Emma Stevanin (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 30 caps)
23 Francesca Granzotto (Exeter Chiefs, 26 caps)