Overview
- Head coach Gonzalo Quesada confirmed Italy’s matchday 23 on Feb. 5 for Saturday’s Six Nations opener at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
- Fullback Ange Capuozzo is out with a broken finger, with further absences including Tommaso Allan, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Sebastian Negri, Ross Vintcent and Jacopo Trulla.
- Scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo returned to Bordeaux after failing to recover, and Stephen Varney has been training separately due to an adductor issue.
- Juan Ignacio Brex reunites with Tommaso Menoncello in midfield outside Paolo Garbisi, with Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane starting on the wings.
- Zebre’s Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Muhamed Hasa and Giacomo Da Re were named on the bench and could make their first Six Nations appearances, as Italy recall that Rome produced a 31-29 win over Scotland two years ago after last year’s 31-19 loss in Edinburgh.