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Impressive newcomer Capuozzo rewarded as Italy make two changes

17 Mar 2022

Michele Lamaro showed passion and led from the front for the Azzurri (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Kieran Crowley has picked an Italy team for this Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations finale in Wales that contains two changes from the side that was beaten 22-33 last weekend by Scotland in Rome. The 1987 World Cup winner from New Zealand has opted to reward Ange Capuozzo for his excellent two-try debut off the bench, the 22-year-old Grenbole-based full-back taking the place of Pierre Bruno.

Capuozzo’s selection as the Italy No15 sees Edoardo Padovani switch to the right wing with Bruno, who made his Test debut in Six Nations round three versus Ireland, missing out on this occasion. The rest of the Italian backline is unchanged and there is just one alteration in the pack where Newcastle’s Marci Fuser is selected in place of the benched Niccolo Cannone.

Having gone with a five forwards and three backs split in last weekend’s replacements, Crowley has now opted for a six-two split for Wales as lock Cannone has taken the spot of new back Capuozzo on a bench where Ivan Nemer has given way as the sub loosehead to Chief Traore.

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“We will play the next match in one of the most iconic stadiums on the world rugby scene,” said Crowley, whose run of four defeats in charge has extended Italy’s barren run without a win in the Six Nations that stretches back to 2015.

“We will face a team that has recovered important players and who will want to react. We want to close the tournament in the best possible way by confirming the game shown in several moments of the match against Scotland.”

?#Italrugby
Il XV scelto da Crowley per #WALvITA, ultimo appuntamento degli Azzurri nel @SixNationsRugby 2022 ? https://t.co/a3znoRAcaJ
? 19/3 – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
? Kick off ore 15.15 (ITA)
? @skysport Arena ? #SkySport 1 ? @tv8it #insieme pic.twitter.com/uElgci9gvG
— Italrugby (@Federugby) March 17, 2022

ITALY (vs Wales, Saturday)
15. Ange CAPUOZZO (Grenoble, 1 cap)
14. Edoardo PADOVANI (Benetton Rugby, 34 caps)
13. Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)
12. Leonardo MARIN (Benetton Rugby, 4 caps)
11. Montanna IOANE (Benetton Rugby, 13 caps)
10. Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 17 caps)
9. Callum BRALEY (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps)
8. Toa HALAFIHI (Benetton Rugby, 4 caps)
7. Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps) – capitano
6. Giovanni PETTINELLI (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)
5. Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 29 caps)
4. Marco FUSER (Newcastle Falcons, 36 caps)
3. Pietro CECCARELLI (Brive, 20 caps)
2. Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
1. Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 19 caps)

Replacements:
16. Luca BIGI (Zebre Parma, 41 caps)
17. Cherif TRAORE (Benetton Rugby, 13 caps)
18. Tiziano PASQUALI (Benetton Rugby, 25 caps)
19. David SISI (Zebre Parma, 20 caps)
20. Niccolo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 19 caps)
21. Braam STEYN (Benetton Rugby, 49 caps)
22. Alessandro FUSCO (Fiamme Oro Rugby/Zebre Parma, 5 caps)
23. Marco ZANON (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 1 day ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 1 day ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 1 day ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 1 day ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 1 day ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 1 day ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍