Northern | US

Roselli makes pair of changes to Azzurre for Red Roses encounter

PARMA, ITALY - APRIL 25: Sara Mannini of Italy in action runs with the ball during the Women's Guinness Six Nations 2026 match between Italy and Scotland at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on April 25, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Comments
Comment

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

VIDEO

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Related

“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)

ADVERTISEMENT

RugbyPass App Download

News, stats, live rugby and more! Download the new RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!


Whether you’re looking for somewhere to track upcoming fixtures, a place to watch live rugby or an app that shows you all of the latest news and analysis, the RugbyPass rugby app is perfect.

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Close
ADVERTISEMENT
Copied to clipboard

Share Article close