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Thursday
15:00
Six NationsFranceItalyFranco Smith

Italy name team to face France

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Franco Smith has made just one change to his Italian starting side to face France away on Sunday. 

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The new Azzurri boss opted not to make wholesale changes following last weekend 42-0 beating at Wales. 

His only switch comes at full-back where Jayden Hayward has been promoted from the bench, an inclusion that has resulted in a back three rejig.

Matteo Minozzi, last weekend’s starting full-back, switches to the left wing where the No11 versus Wales, Mattia Bellini, now switches across to No14 with Leonardo Sarto losing his spot and dropping out of the matchday 23. 

Giulio Bisegni takes Hayward’s place on the bench while Federico Ruzza steps in for Marco Lazzaroni.

(Continue reading below…)

Freddie Burns discusses the selection issues that England have faced this week

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Alessandro Zanni’s selection in the second row will be his 119th Test level appearance, drawing him level with Italy’s second most capped player, Martin Castrogiovanni, in the all-time Italian classification.

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“The debut against Wales served as a lesson,” said Smith after unveiling his XV following a full week’s preparation in Paris. 

“Let’s look forward now to the work done this week. We are trying to improve our mechanisms and trying to show the best version of ourselves. It will be a tough game on Sunday that we will play with greater awareness.”

ITALY (vs France, Sunday)

15. Jayden HAYWARD (Benetton Rugby, 24 caps)

14. Mattia BELLINI (Zebre Rugby Club, 23 caps)

13. Luca MORISI (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)*

12. Carlo CANNA (Zebre Rugby Club, 40 caps)

11. Matteo MINOZZI (Wasps Rugby, 17 caps)*

10. Tommaso ALLAN (Benetton Rugby, 55 caps)

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9. Callum BRALEY (Gloucester Rugby, 6 caps)

8. Abraham STEYN (Benetton Rugby, 37 caps)

7. Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps)

6. Jake POLLEDRI (Gloucester Rugby, 14 caps)

5. Niccolò CANNONE (Argos Petrarca Rugby/Benetton Rugby,1 cap)*

4. Alessandro ZANNI (Benetton Rugby, 118 caps)

3. Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Zebre Rugby Club, 3 caps)*

2. Luca BIGI (Zebre Rugby Club, 25 caps) – captain

1. Andrea LOVOTTI (Zebre Rugby Club, 41 caps)*

Replacements 

16. Federico ZANI (Benetton Rugby 14 caps)

17. Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Rugby Club, 1 cap)*

18. Marco RICCIONI (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)*

19. Dean BUDD (Benetton Rugby, 27 caps)

20. Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps)*

21. Giovanni LICATA (Zebre Rugby Club, 9 caps)*

22. Guglielmo PALAZZANI (Zebre Rugby Club, 37 caps)

23. Giulio BISEGNI (Zebre Rugby Club, 14 caps)

WATCH: The Rugby Pod previews the weekend’s round two Guinness Six Nations matches  

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Comments on RugbyPass

T
Tom 7 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

Completely and utterly agree mate. The whole George Ford kick substitution issue pales into significance compared to the issue that we didn't get anywhere near the bloody tryline except with an interception. Our attack is nonexistent. If we're only getting a maximum of 3 points on an entry to the red zone it doesn't matter who's on the damn bench! Borthers and Wigglesworth spent their careers trotting after kicks and taking set pieces, that's how they think rugby should be played. The scoreline was incredibly flattering, England were poor.

11 Go to comments
H
HJ 12 minutes ago
The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim

Best article ever

1 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 22 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

You can’t knock the defence.


The entire England defence was on the wrong side of the break down.

England conceded three tries. There defence was poor. And they only scored one (intercept) try. So their much lauded attack was also poor.


England are worse than they were last year.

11 Go to comments
f
fl 26 minutes ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

That's what you get with Smith! He's still a player who is more likely to provide a moment of brilliance than a well structured attack.


Meanwhile Ford is someone who will give you brilliant phase play throughout a test match, but he's not fast enough to properly take advantage of a tired defence in the last 20 minutes.


Picking Smith to start and Ford off the bench, rather than the other way around, or giving either one of them the full 80, is a baffling decision.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 39 minutes ago
Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss

I’d love to be a fly on the wall at the next England team meeting.


Reckon Felix Jones will keep his camera off ”to save bandwidth”.

65 Go to comments
D
DA 40 minutes ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

so what???? They also beat 4 of the worlds top 5 sides to win the world cup which your team could not do.

20 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 41 minutes ago
Scotland vs South Africa | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

This is going to be a tough old match at Scottish gas stadium.


The boks will need to be sharp and well prepared. Can’t be complacent.


But then they can relax for their easy game against England.


Boks by 10.

1 Go to comments
f
fl 41 minutes ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

I think everyone is aware that Ford is poor defensively. He's actually improved significantly recently, and looked really strong in the tackle in the six nations, but still I think if we're judging fly-halves purely on their defence, Ford is a long way off the standard set by Farrell, Smith, and Smith.


But that isn't why he keeps getting picked. Its because of what an incredible attacking fly-half he's been for over a decade.

18 Go to comments
D
DA 45 minutes ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

"If the Boks are not switched on 100% against the top 8/9 teams, they could lose." This applies to every other team as well, not just the Boks

20 Go to comments
D
DA 48 minutes ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

you lot with the Irish are the biggest boasters and so you do care about your"aura"

20 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 50 minutes ago
Ireland vs New Zealand | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

New Zealand by 1.


Please God.


And if an Irishman so much as farts during the haka - I’m going to write a strongly worded complaint in the comments section. Possibly convulse from outrage.

1 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 53 minutes ago
Australia vs England | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

Wallabies by 3.


And a final nail in the coffin for SB?

1 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 59 minutes ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

At no point with 12 minutes to go, if you paused the game and said to everyone that it’s going to come down to a moment at the end, a five-metre scrum and a drop goal to win it, everyone would have gone ‘Nah, England will see this out.’


Half the problem I think. Complacency.

1 Go to comments
M
Mark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

The reason that Borthwick is currently escaping more intense scrutiny Is simply because of the recent exodus from his coaching team, with Aled Walters and Felix jones choosing to jump ship, the RFU can't now appear to be doubting the wisdom of Borthwicks appointment.

If England do end up with a 50% win ratio from this series, then surely questions must be asked.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Stuart Hogg pleads guilty to domestic abuse

Keys to the city

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Stuart Hogg pleads guilty to domestic abuse

What a gentleman.

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

Eddie cooked his own goose being outspoken and, well, Eddie.


Bothwick and senior players have been cooing in their public’s ears promises of great things to come. But that’s started to wear thin as I expected it would when they start to drop games at home.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

I wouldn’t call any of the English flyhalves world class at this point.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

I think the public and media are hanging on to hope that things turn. But a few more losses and the media will tear Birthwick and this team to shreds. They’ve been strangley subdued up to now. But I thinks it’s because theyre terrified of the consequence of England changing coaches again!


And besides. Who would want the job? Only someone who has no desire to coach internationally ever again. Or a complete renegade with nothing to lose, a madman (or an idiot). Clive Woodward? 🤷🏿‍♂️

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

56% win ratio in 2023.

44% in 2024.


I’m pretty certain Australia will beat England.


💩🪭


Borthwick is a mistake.

18 Go to comments
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