Kieran Crowley makes three changes to his Italy team for England

Italy have made three changes for this Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations match at home to England following last Sunday’s 37-10 loss to France in Paris. One switch comes in the backs with Federico Mori coming in on the right wing for Tommaso Menoncello. 

The other two starting XV changes are in the pack with Braam Steyn returning in place of Seb Negri at blindside and Pietro Ceccarelli taking over at tighthead from Tiziano Pasquali. Both forwards drop to the bench for the round two match.   

“The match against France gave us indications on our work done so far. During the week the focus was on certain actions: with the right attitude and greater precision we have the possibility to continue on our path of growth,” declared Italy boss Kieran Crowley.

Facing Goliath | A story following Italy as they take on the mighty All Blacks | A Rugby Originals Documentary

Facing Goliath | A story following Italy as they take on the mighty All Blacks | A Rugby Originals Documentary

Last weekend’s loss to France was the 33rd successive defeat for Italy in the Six Nations, a miserable run dating back to 2015.

ITALY (vs England, Sunday)
15. Edoardo PADOVANI (Benetton Rugby, 31 caps)
14. Federico MORI (Bordeaux, 11 caps)
13. Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 9 caps)
12. Marco ZANON (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)
11. Montanna IOANE (Benetton Rugby, 10 caps)
10, Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 14 caps)
9. Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester Rugby, 10 caps)
8. Toa HALAFIHI (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
7. Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps) – captain
6. Braam STEYN (Benetton Rugby, 46 caps)
5. Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 26 caps)
4. Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
3. Pietro CECCARELLI (Brive, 17 caps)
2. Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Benetton Rugby, 9 caps)
1. Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 16 caps)

Replacements:
16. Epalahame FAIVA (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
17. Cherif TRAORE’ (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)
18. Tiziano PASQUALI (Benetton Rugby, 22 caps)
19. David SISI (Zebre Parma, 18 caps)
20. Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 37 caps)
21. Giovanni PETTINELLI (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
22. Alessandro FUSCO (Fiamme Oro Rugby/Zebre Parma, 2 caps)
23. Leonardo MARIN (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)